President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to Padma Vibhushan awardee and legendary Pandavani exponent Teejan Bai, who passed away in Raipur, Chhattisgarh at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the veteran artist’s demise, describing it as a great loss to India’s cultural heritage.
In a post on X, the President said, “The news of the demise of the renowned Pandavani artist Smt. Teejan Bai ji is extremely heartbreaking. With her powerful voice, commanding stage presence, and unique style of presentation, she brought the tales of the Mahabharata to life. Through her exceptional talent, unwavering dedication, and years of rigorous practice, she brought recognition to Chhattisgarh’s rich Pandavani tradition both in India and abroad. Her invaluable contribution to preserving and promoting India’s cultural heritage will always be remembered. I extend my deepest condolences to her loved ones and admirers.”
Expressing grief over her demise, PM Modi said Teejan Bai had given Chhattisgarh’s traditional Pandavani art form global recognition.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of the renowned Pandavani singer Teejan Bai ji. Through her grand performances, she gave this folk art form of Chhattisgarh a unique identity across the world. Her departure is an irreplaceable loss to the world of art and culture. In this hour of grief, my condolences are with her family and admirers. Om Shanti!”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described her passing as an irreparable loss to the world of art and praised her role in preserving and popularising the Pandavani tradition.
In a post on X, HM Shah said, “The passing of the renowned Pandavani singer Smt. Teejan Bai Ji, honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, is an irreparable loss to the world of art. With her unique talent and unwavering dedication, she gave a distinct identity to the Pandavani folk art form. Her contribution to preserving this rich folk tradition of Chhattisgarh will always be remembered. May the departed soul attain eternal peace, and may God grant strength to her bereaved family and admirers to bear this profound loss. Om Shanti.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also mourned her demise.
In a post on X, Singh said, “I am deeply pained by the passing of the renowned Pandavani singer Teejan Bai ji, who left an indelible mark on the field of folk arts through her extraordinary performances. She played a vital role in bringing Chhattisgarh’s cultural heritage to national and international platforms. Her passing is an irreparable loss to the worlds of art and music. In this hour of grief, my condolences are with her family and admirers. Om Shanti!”
Born on April 24, 1956, in Ganiyari village of Chhattisgarh’s 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 dynamic standing Kapalika style, a performance tradition that had long been dominated by men.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, she took the folk tradition of Chhattisgarh to audiences across Asia, Europe and several other parts of the world. Despite facing social resistance in her early years, she remained steadfast in her commitment to preserving and promoting Pandavani, inspiring generations of performers while earning international acclaim for the art form.
Her exceptional contribution to Indian folk culture earned her several of the country’s highest civilian and cultural honours, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
(With ANI inputs)
