Renowned folk artist Teejan Bai, celebrated for Pandavani, passes away at 70

Teejan Bai, one of India's most celebrated folk artists, has passed away at the age of 70 after battling a prolonged illness, as reported by news agency PTI.

Born in 1956 in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, she dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Pandavani, which is the traditional storytelling performance based on the Mahabharata.

Her life story is no less than a remarkable tale of courage, resilience and talent. Married off at the age of 12 and giving her first public Pandavani performance just a year later, she defied social norms, community opposition and personal hardships to become one of India's most celebrated folk artists.

Her death has prompted tributes from across the country, with admirers remembering not only her extraordinary voice but also the determination that helped her overcome immense challenges.

Who was Teejan Bai?

Teejan Bai was one of the most influential practitioners of Pandavani, a traditional folk performance art based on stories from the Mahabharata. Born in a Pardhi tribal family in what is now Chhattisgarh, she developed an interest in the epic tales from an early age. She learned the art form by listening to her grandfather narrate stories and singing them in the traditional style.

At a time when women were generally discouraged from performing Pandavani publicly, Teejan Bai chose to pursue the art despite strong resistance from her community.

Married at 12, on stage at 13

One of the most striking aspects of Teejan Bai's journey was how early she faced life's challenges. Despite being married at the age of 12, but her passion for Pandavani remained unchanged. At just 13, she gave her first public performance, an event that would eventually alter the course of Indian folk music history.

Her decision to perform publicly was not welcomed by many around her. Several accounts of her life note that she faced social ostracism and criticism for appearing before audiences and singing a form traditionally dominated by male performers.

Yet she continued to perform, refusing to abandon the art she loved.

The woman who changed Pandavani forever

Before Teejan Bai emerged on the scene, women performers were generally associated with the "Vedamati" style of Pandavani, where singers remained seated while narrating the story.

Teejan Bai broke convention by adopting the more dramatic "Kapalik" style, which involved standing, acting out scenes and bringing characters to life through expressive gestures and powerful narration.

Her energetic performances transformed audience perceptions of Pandavani and helped make the folk art form accessible to people far beyond rural Chhattisgarh.

Armed with a tambura and an unmatched stage presence, she turned epic tales from the Mahabharata into captivating live performances.

From a village performer to a global cultural icon

Over the decades, Teejan Bai became one of India's most recognized cultural ambassadors. Her performances took her to countries across Europe, Asia and North America. She introduced international audiences to Pandavani, an art form many had never encountered before.

What began as a local storytelling tradition eventually found a place on prestigious stages around the world because of her efforts.

Her rise from a marginalized village artist to a globally respected performer remains one of the most inspiring stories in Indian folk culture.

Awards and recognition

Teejan Bai's contribution to Indian arts earned her some of the country's highest civilian honours.

She received:

Padma Shri

Padma Bhushan

Padma Vibhushan

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

These honours recognized not only her artistic excellence but also her role in preserving and promoting India's rich folk traditions.

Why Teejan Bai's story continues to inspire

Teejan Bai's legacy extends beyond music and performance. Her life represents perseverance in the face of social barriers. Married as a child, criticized for pursuing her passion and forced to navigate difficult personal circumstances, she nevertheless built a career that inspired generations of artists, particularly women from rural and marginalized communities.

Through sheer determination, she transformed Pandavani from a regional folk tradition into a globally recognized art form. For millions of admirers, Teejan Bai will be remembered as far more than a folk singer.

She was a trailblazer who challenged conventions, preserved a centuries-old storytelling tradition and proved that talent can emerge from the most unlikely circumstances.