Teejan Bai's legacy will inspire generations, says folk singer Malini Awasthi
Lucknow, July 5
Folk singer Malini Awasthi paid an emotional tribute to Padma Vibhushan awardee and legendary Pandavani exponent Teejan Bai, remembering her as an artist who took India's folk storytelling tradition to the global stage decades before it became widely recognised.
Speaking after the celebrated folk icon's demise, Awasthi said Teejan Bai's contribution to Indian culture would continue to inspire generations of artists.
Speaking about the late artist's role in taking folk culture to the world, Awasthi said she "championed" one of India's greatest traditions and recalled how Teejan Bai represented the country at international events long before Indian folk art gained widespread global attention.
"Today, we received the deeply saddening and shocking news that the revered Teejan Bai ji has passed away. She championed one of India's most powerful traditions, the art of storytelling and ballad singing taking the tales of our land to the global stage during an era when it took immense courage for a young woman to step out of her village and society to perform publicly," Awasthi told ANI.
Sharing a personal memory, Awasthi recalled first watching Teejan Bai perform as a young girl and later meeting her on several occasions across the country. Speaking about her "privilege" of knowing the legendary artist, she expressed hope that the rich Indian tradition of storytelling would continue to flourish in the spirit Teejan Bai had envisioned.
"It has been my privilege to know her; I first saw her perform on stage when I was just a young girl, and we subsequently met at numerous venues over the years from Raipur in Chhattisgarh to Bhopal and Delhi... My only hope is that the tradition of storytelling within Indian culture continues to flourish just as she envisioned."
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao also mourned the veteran artist's passing, describing it as an "irreparable loss" for both the state and the country. He offered prayers for Teejan Bai's soul and strength to her family in this difficult time.
While speaking to ANI, he said, "... Her passing has deeply shocked us all. I pray to God to grant her a place at His holy feet. May God give strength to her family and loved ones to bear this sorrow. This is an irreparable loss for the country and for Chhattisgarh."
Earlier in the day, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid his last respects to Teejan Bai at AIIMS Raipur, where she passed away following a prolonged illness. He also announced that the celebrated folk icon would be accorded full state honours during her final rites.
Born on April 24, 1956, in Ganiyari village of Durg district, Teejan Bai transformed the traditional art of Pandavani through her powerful performances. She broke convention by becoming the first woman to perform in the standing "Kapalika" style, a format traditionally dominated by male performers. Over a career spanning more than five decades, she introduced Chhattisgarh's folk storytelling tradition to audiences across India and the world, earning honours including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's sad that we only remember our cultural icons after they pass away. Teejan Bai deserved more recognition while she was alive. Her work in popularizing Pandavani across the world is unmatched. I hope the government now does more to preserve such folk traditions instead of just giving awards posthumously.
As someone who discovered Teejan Bai's music through a documentary, I'm deeply moved by her story. The way she transformed a traditional male-dominated art form and brought it to global audiences is incredible. Malini Awasthi's tribute perfectly captures her pioneering spirit. Rest in peace, legend. 🌹
This news hit me hard. I remember my grandmother telling me about Teejan Bai's performances when she was young. The way she brought the Mahabharata to life through her voice and expressions was something magical. India has lost a true cultural ambassador. I hope future generations continue to cherish and learn from her legacy.
Having studied Indian folk traditions academically, I can say Teejan Bai's contribution to preserving and globalizing Pandavani is unparalleled. Her shift to the Kapalika style was revolutionary - it took incredible courage for a woman in rural Chhattisgarh in the 1970s. This is a monumental loss for world culture, not just Indian culture.
While I respect Teejan Bai's immense contribution, I feel the media coverage of her passing has been lackluster compared to other celebrities. She was a Padma Vibhushan awardee and spent
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