Chhattisgarh's legendary Pandavani folk singer Teejan Bai passes away at 70

Legendary Pandavani folk singer Teejan Bai who took Chhattisgarhs traditional storytelling art to audiences across the world through her commanding voice and expressive style died at AIIMS in Raipur on Sunday after a prolonged illness doctors said She was 70Teejan Bai breathed her last at 315 am at the hospital where she had been undergoing treatment since May 27 a doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS Raipur told PTIPrime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over Teejan Bais death crediting her for giving Chhattisgarhs folk art a distinct global identity through her performancesChhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said her unparalleled contribution to Indian folk art and culture will always be remembered He went to AIIMS in the morning to pay tribute to the veteran artistWho was Teejan BaiBorn in 1956 at Ganiyari village in Durg district in a humble family Teejan Bai a Padma Vibhushan awardee developed a passion for listening to and narrating stories from the Mahabharata at an early ageDespite social opposition and financial hardship she persevered and went on to become the countrys most celebrated exponent of Pandavani the traditional folk art form of Chhattisgarh that combines dramatic narration singing and musical accompaniment to recount episodes from the epicKnown for her powerful voice commanding stage presence and expressive style she transformed Pandavani from a regional folk tradition into an internationally acclaimed art formShe performed extensively in India and abroad including in the United States the United Kingdom France Japan Russia Australia and Germany earning global recognition for Chhattisgarhs rich cultural heritageIn recognition of her outstanding contribution to Indian folk arts she was honoured with the Padma Shri Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Indias secondhighest civilian awardPM Modi Chhattisgarh CM Sai express griefPM Modi in a post on X said Deeply saddened by the demise of renowned Pandavani singer Teejan Bai ji She gave Chhattisgarhs 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 ShantiChhattisgarh CM Sai described her death as an irreparable loss not only to the world of folk art but also to the cultural heritage of the state and the nationIt is deeply saddening to learn about the demise of Padma Vibhushan awardee and worldrenowned Pandavani artist Dr Teejan Bai the immortal storyteller of Chhattisgarhs 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 Sai said on XThrough her unique singing style extraordinary talent and unwavering commitment to preserving folk traditions she established Chhattisgarhs cultural identity on the global stage Her unparalleled contribution to Indian folk art and culture will always be remembered he saidI pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet and give strength and courage to her bereaved family countless admirers and the entire folk art fraternity to bear this profound loss Om Shanti he addedWhile President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the demise of the legendary folk singer former Chhattisgarh chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel also paid tribute calling Teejan Bai an invaluable jewel of the state whose contribution to keeping the Pandavani tradition alive brought immense pride to the state and the countryHer demise is a great loss to art and culture We pay our heartfelt tributes to her and pray for peace to her soul and strength to her family and countless admirers Baghel saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever