India has lost one of its most celebrated folk artists with the passing of Padma Vibhushan Teejan Bai.The legendary Pandavani exponent passed at the age of 70 after battling a prolonged illness as reported by PTI. She breathed her last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, where she had been receiving treatment for several weeks, as reported by Aaj Tak.Doctors at AIIMS confirmed her death after her condition deteriorated during the early hours of the morning.
Hospitalised after health complications
Teejan Bai had been admitted to AIIMS, Raipur, on May 27 this year after experiencing breathing difficulties and severe weakness. Doctors treating the veteran artist had earlier stated that she was suffering from life-threatening complications along with multiple pre-existing medical conditions.According to hospital authorities, her health worsened significantly at around 3:15 a.m. on Saturday. Despite medical efforts, she could not be revived.
A pioneer of Pandavani
Born in 1956 in Ganiyari village of Durg district, Chhattisgarh, Teejan Bai dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Pandavani which is the traditional storytelling performance based on the Mahabharata.
A career decorated with prestigious honours
The Government of India honoured the veteran artist with the Padma Shri in 1988, followed by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2003, the same year she also received an honorary Doctor of Letters (D. Litt. ) from Bilaspur University.She received the M. S. Subbulakshmi Centenary Award in 2016, the prestigious Fukuoka Prize in 2018, and the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, in 2019.The veteran artist Teejan Bai’s journey from a small village in Chhattisgarh to becoming one of India’s most celebrated cultural ambassadors, is surely inspiring.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 Tweeted, “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.”
