Legendary Pandavani folk singer Teejan Bai passes away at 70 in Raipur

Legendary Pandavani folk singer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Teejan Bai passed away aged 70 at AIIMS Raipur on Sunday following a prolonged illness. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai led the nation in mourning her demise

Raipur: Legendary Pandavani folk singer Teejan Bai, who took Chhattisgarh’s traditional storytelling art to audiences across the world through her commanding voice and expressive style, died at AIIMS in Raipur on Sunday after a prolonged illness, doctors said.

She was 70.

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Teejan Bai breathed her last at 3.15 am at the hospital, where she had been undergoing treatment since May 27, a doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, told PTI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over Teejan Bai’s death, crediting her for giving Chhattisgarh’s folk art a distinct global identity through her performances.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said her unparalleled contribution to Indian folk art and culture will always be remembered. He went to AIIMS in the morning to pay tribute to the veteran artist.

Born in 1956 at Ganiyari village in Durg district in a humble family, Teejan Bai, a Padma Vibhushan awardee, developed a passion for listening to and narrating stories from the Mahabharata at an early age.

Despite social opposition and financial hardship, she persevered and went on to become the country’s most celebrated exponent of Pandavani, the traditional folk art form of Chhattisgarh that combines dramatic narration, singing and musical accompaniment to recount episodes from the epic.

Known for her powerful voice, commanding stage presence and expressive style, she transformed Pandavani from a regional folk tradition into an internationally acclaimed art form.

She performed extensively in India and abroad, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Russia, Australia and Germany, earning global recognition for Chhattisgarh’s rich cultural heritage.

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to Indian folk arts, she was honoured with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.

PM Modi in a post on X said, “Deeply saddened by the demise of renowned Pandavani singer Teejan Bai ji. She gave Chhattisgarh’s folk art a unique global identity through her magnificent performances. Her passing is an irreparable loss to the world of art and culture. My condolences are with her family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”

Chhattisgarh CM Sai described her death as an irreparable loss not only to the world of folk art but also to the cultural heritage of the state and the nation.

“It is deeply saddening to learn about the demise of Padma Vibhushan awardee and world-renowned Pandavani artist Dr Teejan Bai, the immortal storyteller of Chhattisgarh’s folk culture. Her passing is an irreparable loss not only to the world of folk art but also to the cultural heritage of the entire state of Chhattisgarh and the nation,” Sai said on X.

Through her unique singing style, extraordinary talent and unwavering commitment to preserving folk traditions, she established Chhattisgarh’s cultural identity on the global stage. Her unparalleled contribution to Indian folk art and culture will always be remembered, he said.

“I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet and give strength and courage to her bereaved family, countless admirers and the entire folk art fraternity to bear this profound loss. Om Shanti,” he added.

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel also paid tribute, calling Teejan Bai an invaluable jewel of the state whose contribution to keeping the Pandavani tradition alive brought immense pride to the state and the country.

“Her demise is a great loss to art and culture. We pay our heartfelt tributes to her and pray for peace to her soul and strength to her family and countless admirers,” Baghel said.