Renowned Pandwani singer Teejan Bai, a Padma Vibhushan awardee, died early on Sunday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Raipur following a prolonged illness. She was 70 years old. Her passing marks the end of an era for one of Chhattisgarh’s most distinctive traditional performing arts.
Hospital officials confirmed that Teejan Bai breathed her last at 3:15 a.m. She had been receiving treatment since May 27 for severe lung infection, sepsis, and acute kidney injury. Widely celebrated as one of the foremost exponents of Pandwani, the folk art form centers on narrating stories from the Mahabharata through expressive singing and dramatic performance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences, describing her death as an “irreplaceable loss to the world of art and culture.” In a message on X, he stated: “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!”
Born in 1956 in Ganiyari village near Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, Teejan Bai rose from modest origins to achieve international acclaim. She played a pivotal role in popularizing Pandwani, a traditional Chhattisgarh folk style that brings ancient epic tales to life with powerful vocals and theatrical elements. Her distinctive approach delivering performances with deep emotion and energetic expression while seated helped elevate this regional tradition onto the global stage.
Throughout her career, Teejan Bai earned some of the country’s highest civilian honors, including the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2003, and Padma Vibhushan in 2019. She also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995 and numerous other recognitions for her outstanding contributions to preserving and promoting Indian folk culture.
Her life’s work not only preserved a vital piece of Chhattisgarh’s cultural heritage but also introduced it to audiences far beyond India’s borders. Teejan Bai’s performances were noted for their intensity and authenticity, ensuring that the stories of the Mahabharata continued to resonate with new generations through the vibrant medium of folk art.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across the country, highlighting her transformative impact on traditional performing arts. As the nation mourns the loss of this iconic figure, her legacy as a trailblazer who brought Pandwani to the world stage endures.