"Her passing is an irreparable loss."
Padma Vibhushan awardee and celebrated Pandavani exponent Teejan Bai has passed away at age of 70.
She died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Raipur on Sunday morning.
The legendary folk artist succumbed to her prolonged illness while undergoing treatment at the hospital.
She had been admitted to AIIMS since May 27, 2026, for her ongoing medical condition.
Teejan Bai died at 3 in the morning, according to doctors at the facility.
Her passing marks the end of an era for Chhattisgarh’s traditional storytelling art form, widely regarded as the foremost exponent of Pandavani.
Teejan Bai introduced Chhattisgarh’s traditional storytelling art to audiences across India and worldwide.
Pandavani is a traditional folk storytelling form based on episodes from the ancient Mahabharata.
Through decades of performances, she helped transform Pandavani into an internationally recognised art form.
She was known for her commanding voice and dramatic stage presence throughout her career.
Her expressive performances captivated audiences and brought the ancient stories to contemporary audiences vividly.
Born in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, Teejan Bai became one of India’s most celebrated folk artistes.
She earned considerable acclaim for taking the state’s cultural heritage to global audiences successfully.
Her performances ensured that Chhattisgarh’s oldest storytelling traditions found audiences far beyond their origin.
In recognition of her significant contributions to Indian folk arts and cultural preservation overall, she was conferred the Padma Shri award.
She was also awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan for her outstanding service to arts.
Most significantly, she received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour.
These three major national awards reflect the esteem in which she was held nationally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over her death and paid tribute.
He acknowledged her magnificent contribution to Indian culture and global awareness of folk arts:
“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.”
Teejan Bai’s life was dedicated entirely to preserving and popularising the Pandavani art form.
She spent decades travelling across India and internationally to perform for diverse audiences everywhere.
Her performances brought ancient Mahabharata stories to life with remarkable skill and passion.
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