Pandwani singer Teejan Bai has passed away at AIIMS Raipur at the age of 70. Through her unique performances, she brought new recognition to the Pandwani folk singing tradition, both within the country and across the globe.
पद्म विभूषण तीजन बाई का 70 साल की उम्र में निधन, रायपुर एम्स में ली अंतिम सांस, लोक कला जगत में शोक की लहर
Padma Vibhushan Dr. Teejan Bai, who brought global recognition to Chhattisgarh’s folk art and Pandwani singing, has passed away. The 70-year-old artist breathed her last at 3:15 AM on Saturday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raipur. She had been ill for nearly two years and was hospitalized after her condition deteriorated a few days ago. Her demise has sent a wave of grief through the world of Indian folk culture and art.
A Legacy That Took Pandwani to the Global Stage
Teejan Bai earned international acclaim for Pandwani singing through her powerful voice, compelling acting, and unique performance style. Her artistry in bringing the tales of the Mahabharata to life on stage established her as one of the most distinguished figures in Indian folk culture. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to Indian folk art, she was honored with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Vibhushan—the country’s second-highest civilian award.
A Journey Marked by Struggle, Yet Unwavering Dedication to Pandwani
Born on April 24, 1956, in Ganiyari village, Bhilai, Teejan Bai’s life was filled with struggles. Hailing from the Pardhi tribe, she was the daughter of Chunuklal Pardha and Sukhvati. As a child, she would watch her maternal grandfather, Brajlal, sing and narrate stories from the Mahabharata, and she gradually committed these tales to memory. Recognizing her talent, the singer Umed Singh Deshmukh provided her with training.
She gave her first stage performance at the age of just 13. At that time, female Pandwani artists were typically confined to the Vedmati style—where the performer sang while seated—whereas men performed standing up in the Kapalik style. Teejan Bai became the first woman to perform Pandwani in the Kapalik style, thereby charting a new course for the tradition. She even faced social ostracism because of this performance style, yet she never abandoned her artistic journey.
Could Not Attend School, Yet Earned Prestigious National Honors
Tijan Bai, who never saw the inside of a school during her childhood, managed to study only up to the fifth grade through a literacy campaign. Despite this, her mastery of Pandwani garnered such acclaim that she received almost every major national honor—with the exception of the Bharat Ratna. She was also awarded honorary D.Litt. degrees on four occasions, a testament to her extraordinary contribution to Indian folk art.
Ill for Two Years; Undergoing Treatment at AIIMS
Tijan Bai had been ailing for nearly two years. When her condition deteriorated a few days ago, she was admitted to AIIMS Raipur, where a team of specialist doctors was monitoring her closely. Reports indicate that she had been placed in the ICU due to breathing difficulties and other age-related complications. Despite all efforts, she breathed her last on Saturday night.
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