Padma Vibhushan Teejan Bai passes away at 70, Chhattisgarh CM pays tribute
Raipur, July 5
Padma Vibhushan awardee and legendary Pandavani exponent Teejan Bai, who dedicated more than five decades to preserving and popularising Chhattisgarh's rich folk storytelling tradition, passed away in Raipur on Sunday. She was 72.
According to reports, the legendary folk singer had been undergoing treatment at AIIMS Raipur for the past several weeks after battling prolonged health issues. Her condition reportedly worsened around 3:15 a.m. following which she breathed her last.
The news of her demise was confirmed by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who paid tribute to the celebrated folk artist and remembered her for taking the cultural heritage of the state to audiences across India and the world.
Expressing his condolences, Deo Sai said, "Teejan Bai has passed away, who was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Shri. She had brought glory to Chhattisgarh across the entire country and the world. We pay humble tribute to her."
Born on April 24, 1956, in Ganiyari village in Durg district, Teejan Bai emerged as one of India's most celebrated folk artists. She gave her first public performance at the age of 13 and went on to transform the traditional art of Pandavani, a musical narration of stories from the Mahabharata.
At a time when women traditionally performed Pandavani in the seated Vedamati style, Teejan Bai broke convention by becoming the first woman to adopt the powerful standing "Kapalika" style, a performance form that had largely been dominated by male artists.
Over a career spanning more than 50 years, she carried the folk tradition of Chhattisgarh to audiences across Asia, Europe and several other parts of the world. Despite facing social resistance during her early years, she remained committed to preserving and promoting Pandavani, inspiring generations of performers while earning international recognition for the art form.
Her contribution to Indian folk culture was recognised with several of the country's highest honours, including the Padma Shri, the Padma Bhushan, the Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I remember watching her perform at a local festival in Raipur years ago. Her energy and voice were simply mesmerizing. She made Pandavani accessible to common people like us. Sad that we are losing our cultural icons one by one. Chhattisgarh has lost its cultural mother.
While we mourn her loss, it's also a moment to reflect on how little support folk artists get from the government during their lifetime. She got Padma Vibhushan, yes, but so many other talented folk artists are struggling without basic healthcare and financial security. Hope this tragedy forces us to do better.
Teejan Bai was a national treasure. She took Pandavani from the villages of Chhattisgarh to international stages. I had the privilege of watching her perform at the Ganga Mahotsav in Varanasi - she had the audience spellbound for over two hours. The way she narrated Mahabharata stories with such emotion was unparalleled. Agonizing loss for Indian culture. 😢
It's heartbreaking to see such talented artists spend their final days in a hospital battling health issues. We celebrate them with awards when they are alive but fail to ensure they get proper care in their old age. The government should set up a dedicated fund for aging folk artists. Om Shanti to the soul of Teejan Bai ji. 🙏
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