Raipur: Renowned Pandwani folk artist and Padma Vibhushan awardee Teejan Bai passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, today. She was 70.
Hospital authorities said she breathed her last at 3:15 am following a cardiac arrest. The veteran artist had been admitted to AIIMS Raipur on 27 May 2026 with complaints of breathing difficulty and generalised weakness.
She was suffering from multiple serious pre-existing medical conditions. Because of the critical nature of her illness, she was being treated in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team of specialists and was on ventilator support.
In the early hours of Sunday, at approximately 2:45 am, she suffered a cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated immediately by the treating team as per advanced life support protocols. Despite sustained resuscitative efforts, doctors could not revive her, and she was declared deceased at 3:15 am. Her family members were informed immediately.
Global face of Chhattisgarhi folk art
Born on 24 April 1956 in Ganiyari village near Bhilai, Teejan Bai played a pivotal role in taking the traditional art form of Pandwani—the musical narration of the Mahabharata—from the villages of Chhattisgarh to international stages.
Her journey was marked by immense determination. She faced severe social ostracisation early in her career for pursuing folk singing as a woman and was even expelled from her community. Refusing to give up, she drew inspiration from her maternal grandfather, Brijlal, who narrated Mahabharata stories during her childhood. Her talent was later nurtured by noted performer Umed Singh Deshmukh.
At the age of 13, she gave her first public performance. Breaking the traditional norm in which women performed only in the Vedmati style while men performed in the standing Kapalik style, Teejan Bai became the first woman to perform Pandwani in the Kapalik genre, holding a tanpura as her signature prop.
Though she had limited formal education and completed only basic primary education through literacy drives later in life, her extraordinary command over the art earned her four honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degrees from various universities.
For her unparalleled contribution to Indian folk art, she was honoured with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.
Condolences pour in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally monitored her health during her prolonged illness. He had earlier spoken to Teejan Bai’s daughter-in-law, Venu Deshmukh, over the phone to inquire about her treatment and assured all possible medical assistance from the Central government.
Expressing deep condolences, Executive Director of AIIMS Raipur, Lt. Gen. Ashok Jindal (Retd.), said:
“AIIMS Raipur pays its humble tribute to the legendary artist and extends its heartfelt condolences to her family.”
PM Modi mourns Teejan Bai’s demise: Says Pandwani has lost its global icon
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed profound grief over the demise of renowned Pandwani exponent and Padma Vibhushan awardee Teejan Bai, describing her passing as an irreparable loss to the world of Indian art and culture.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said Teejan Bai gave Pandwani singing a unique global identity through her extraordinary talent and powerful performances. He noted that she played a pivotal role in taking Chhattisgarh’s rich folk tradition to audiences across the world.
Modi also extended his heartfelt condolences to Teejan Bai’s family members and her countless admirers, praying for strength to them in this hour of grief.
PM Modi’s X Post (Quote):
“The demise of Padma Vibhushan Teejan Bai Ji is an irreparable loss for the world of art and culture. She gave Pandwani singing a distinct identity on the global stage. Her contribution to preserving and popularising India’s folk traditions will always be remembered. My condolences to her family and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
