News Desk: India’s cultural landscape has lost one of its brightest icons with the passing of Teejan Bai, the legendary Pandavani artist who took the traditional folk storytelling form of Chhattisgarh to audiences across the world. She died at the age of 70 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur in the early hours of Sunday after battling a prolonged illness, according to hospital officials.
Teejan Bai had been undergoing treatment at AIIMS Raipur since late May for multiple health complications, including a severe lung infection, sepsis, and acute kidney injury. Her death has triggered an outpouring of grief from political leaders, artists, and admirers across the country, who hailed her as a towering figure in Indian folk arts.
पंडवानी की अमर स्वर-सम्राज्ञी तीजन बाई का निधन भारतीय लोककला की अपूरणीय क्षति है। उनकी कला और विरासत सदैव अमर रहेगी वो केवल एक लोकगायिका नहीं थीं, बल्कि छत्तीसगढ़ की सांस्कृतिक पहचान को उन्होंने विश्व मंच तक पहुँचाया भारतीय लोककला को वैश्विक पहचान दिलाई।
ॐ शांति।🌺🙏
📍Bhilai pic.twitter.com/L550G8d0Yf
— Aarnav Sharma✨️ (@sunilaarnav) July 5, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the celebrated artist, describing her demise as an “irreplaceable loss to the world of art and culture.” He praised her lifelong dedication to preserving and popularising Pandavani, saying her powerful performances would continue to inspire generations of artists and lovers of Indian cultural heritage.
Born in 1956 in Ganiyari village of present-day Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, Teejan Bai emerged from humble beginnings to become the face of Pandavani, a dramatic oral tradition based on stories from the Mahabharata. She gave her first public performance at the age of 13 and broke long-standing gender barriers by performing the energetic Kapalik style, which had traditionally been reserved for men. Armed with a tambura that transformed into symbolic props during her performances, she captivated audiences with her commanding voice, expressive narration, and theatrical storytelling.
Her extraordinary talent was discovered by renowned theatre director Habib Tanvir, a turning point that led to performances before then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and eventually to international acclaim. Over the decades, she performed in numerous countries, introducing global audiences to the rich folk traditions of Chhattisgarh and establishing Pandavani as one of India’s most celebrated storytelling art forms.
Her remarkable contributions earned her some of India’s highest civilian honours, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Vibhushan. She also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the prestigious Fukuoka Prize for her outstanding contribution to preserving traditional performing arts.
Beyond the accolades, Teejan Bai’s life was a story of courage and perseverance. Despite facing social ostracism early in life for pursuing a profession considered unsuitable for women, she remained steadfast in her commitment to Pandavani. Through decades of performances, she transformed a regional folk tradition into a globally recognised cultural treasure while mentoring younger artists to ensure its continuity.
सुप्रसिद्ध पंडवानी गायिका तीजन बाई जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। उन्होंने छत्तीसगढ़ की इस लोक कला को अपनी भव्य प्रस्तुति से दुनियाभर में एक विशिष्ट पहचान दिलाई। उनका जाना कला एवं संस्कृति जगत के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है। शोक की इस घड़ी में मेरी संवेदनाएं उनके परिजनों और…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 5, 2026
With her passing, India loses not only an extraordinary performer but also a cultural ambassador whose voice carried the timeless tales of the Mahabharata to the world. Her legacy will continue to resonate through generations of storytellers and performers, ensuring that the vibrant tradition of Pandavani lives on.
