India has lost one of its most celebrated folk artists with the passing of Padma Vibhushan awardee Teejan Bai, the legendary exponent of Chhattisgarh’s Pandavani tradition, who died at the age of 70 on July 5 after a prolonged illness at AIIMS Raipur. Revered for transforming an age-old oral storytelling tradition into a globally recognised art form, Teejan Bai broke gender barriers by mastering the powerful Kapalik style of Pandavani, traditionally performed by men.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, she took stories from the Mahabharata to audiences across India and the world, earning some of the country’s highest civilian honours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and several cultural figures paid tribute to her, calling her passing an irreparable loss to India’s artistic and cultural heritage. Her death marks the end of an era, but her legacy lives on through the countless artists and admirers she inspired.
From a Village in Chhattisgarh to the World’s Biggest Stages
Born on August 8, 1956, in Ganiyari village in present-day Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, Teejan Bai grew up listening to her grandfather narrate stories from the Mahabharata. Those stories sparked a lifelong passion that would shape her destiny. At a time when women were expected to perform only the softer, seated Vedamati style of Pandavani, Teejan Bai chose the more energetic and theatrical Kapalik style, a bold decision that challenged deeply rooted social norms. Her choice came at a personal cost. Married at a young age, she faced social ostracism and financial hardship for pursuing an art form considered unsuitable for women. Yet she refused to give up. Her first public performance, at the age of 13, reportedly earned her ₹10, but it also marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
Her powerful voice, expressive storytelling and dramatic use of the tambura as a symbolic prop soon caught the attention of theatre legend Habib Tanvir, who helped introduce her to wider audiences. A performance before then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi brought national recognition, opening doors to international stages. Over the following decades, Teejan Bai represented India at cultural festivals and performances across Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, becoming one of the country’s most recognised cultural ambassadors. Through every performance, she preserved the essence of Pandavani while making it accessible to audiences far beyond its roots in rural Chhattisgarh.
A Lifetime of Honours and a Legacy That Transcends Generations
Teejan Bai’s remarkable contribution to Indian culture earned her numerous honours, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, making her one of the few folk artists to receive all three civilian awards. She was also honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and international recognitions such as Japan’s Fukuoka Prize for her contribution to preserving Asian culture. Despite achieving global fame, she remained deeply connected to her roots, continuing to perform in villages and mentor aspiring artists determined to keep Pandavani alive.
In May this year, Teejan Bai was admitted to AIIMS Raipur after her health deteriorated and remained under medical care for several weeks. She passed away on July 5 despite sustained treatment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute, saying she had given Chhattisgarh’s Pandavani a unique global identity and that her demise was an irreplaceable loss to the world of art and culture. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described her as the immortal voice of the state’s cultural heritage, while artists, scholars and admirers across the country remembered her as a fearless pioneer who redefined Indian folk performance. Thousands gathered to pay their final respects, celebrating not only the artist she became but also the cultural legacy she leaves behind.
आज एम्स रायपुर पहुंचकर पद्म विभूषण से सम्मानित विश्वविख्यात पंडवानी कलाकार डॉ. तीजन बाई जी के पार्थिव शरीर पर पुष्पचक्र अर्पित कर उन्हें भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की।
— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) July 5, 2026
तीजन बाई जी का निधन छत्तीसगढ़ की लोक संस्कृति एवं सांस्कृतिक विरासत के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है। अपनी अद्वितीय… pic.twitter.com/pGx8qD9UXO
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Teejan Bai’s life is a powerful reminder that preserving culture often begins with individuals who dare to challenge convention. At a time when tradition restricted women from performing in certain ways, she chose courage over conformity and, in doing so, ensured that Pandavani found a place on the global stage without losing its authenticity. Her journey reflects the transformative power of art to break barriers, foster understanding and connect people across languages, regions and generations.
As India remembers one of its greatest folk storytellers, her passing also draws attention to the many traditional art forms that continue to struggle for recognition and support. Honouring Teejan Bai’s legacy means not only celebrating her extraordinary achievements but also investing in the artists, teachers and communities who keep India’s living cultural heritage alive. Which Indian folk tradition do you believe deserves greater recognition and sustained support for future generations, and how can we ensure it continues to thrive?
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