CM Sai pays tribute to Teejan Bai at Monsoon Session
Synopsis
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid tribute to late Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Teejan Bai, Chhattisgarh's iconic Pandavani folk artist, on the opening day of the state assembly's Monsoon Session on 13 July 2026, honouring her as an 'priceless gem' of the state.
Key Takeaways
CM Vishnu Deo Sai paid floral tributes to late Dr.
Teejan Bai on the first day of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha Monsoon Session on 13 July 2026 .
Teejan Bai was a celebrated exponent of Pandavani , a folk performance tradition from Chhattisgarh narrating episodes from the Mahabharata.
She was conferred the Padma Shri (1987) , Padma Bhushan (2003) , and Padma Vibhushan (2019) — India's second-highest civilian honour.
The CMO described her as 'Chhattisgarh ki anmol ratan' — 'Chhattisgarh's priceless gem'.
The tribute follows a long-standing Indian legislative tradition of formally acknowledging cultural icons at the opening of assembly sessions.
The Monsoon Session will be watched for any follow-up policy or funding announcements related to folk arts in the state.
The Chief Minister's Office of Chhattisgarh announced on Monday, 13 July 2026 that Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid floral tributes to the late Dr. Teejan Bai, the legendary Pandavani folk artist and Padma Vibhushan awardee, on the opening day of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha Monsoon Session.
Context
The CMO's post, written in Hindi, stated that CM Sai paid his respects to 'Chhattisgarh ki anmol ratan' ('Chhattisgarh's priceless gem'), describing Dr. Teejan Bai as an irreplaceable cultural treasure of the state. The tribute was offered on the floor of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha as the legislature convened for its Monsoon Session.
It is a recognised parliamentary tradition in Indian state assemblies to open sessions with formal tributes to distinguished personalities who have recently passed away, acknowledging their contributions to society, culture, and public life.
Policy Backdrop
Dr. Teejan Bai was one of India's foremost exponents of Pandavani, a traditional folk performance art from Chhattisgarh that narrates episodes from the Mahabharata through song and gesture. She received the Padma Shri in 1987, the Padma Bhushan in 2003, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2019 — India's second-highest civilian honour — in recognition of her lifelong contribution to Indian folk music and performing arts.
Since Chhattisgarh's formation as a separate state in 2000, successive governments across party lines have used official legislative proceedings to spotlight the state's tribal and folk art traditions, including Pandavani, as part of a broader cultural identity-building effort.
Stakeholders and Impact
The tribute carries symbolic weight for Chhattisgarh's folk artists and cultural communities, who regard Dr. Teejan Bai as a foundational figure who brought global recognition to a regional art form. Her work helped place Pandavani on the national and international cultural map.
Cultural organisations and practitioners of folk arts in the state view formal legislative acknowledgements as an important signal of government intent toward preserving and promoting indigenous performing traditions.
What's Next
The Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha Monsoon Session, now underway, will be watched for any policy announcements or budget allocations directed at folk arts, Pandavani promotion, or memorialisation of Dr. Teejan Bai's legacy. CM Sai's gesture on the first day sets a cultural tone for the session's proceedings.
The state government's approach to institutionalising support for folk art forms — whether through dedicated academies, performance grants, or archival projects — is likely to come under scrutiny from cultural stakeholders in the days ahead.
Point of View
Positioning the BJP-led state government as a custodian of Chhattisgarh's indigenous folk heritage. Pandavani, as an art form with deep tribal and Dalit roots, carries social as well as cultural significance in the state's identity politics. Formal legislative tributes of this kind often precede or accompany policy announcements on arts funding, and the coming session days will reveal whether this gesture translates into concrete institutional support. It also reflects a broader national pattern of state governments using cultural icons to reinforce regional pride within a federal political framework.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Teejan Bai and why is she famous?
Dr. Teejan Bai was a renowned folk artist from Chhattisgarh, celebrated as one of the foremost exponents of Pandavani — a traditional performance art that narrates stories from the Mahabharata through song and gesture. She received the Padma Vibhushan in 2019 , India's second-highest civilian honour, along with the Padma Shri (1987) and Padma Bhushan (2003).
What is Pandavani folk art?
Pandavani is a traditional folk performance art native to Chhattisgarh in which a solo performer narrates episodes from the Mahabharata through singing, acting, and musical accompaniment. Dr. Teejan Bai is its most internationally recognised practitioner.
Why did CM Vishnu Deo Sai pay tribute to Teejan Bai in the assembly?
CM Vishnu Deo Sai paid tribute to the late Dr. Teejan Bai on the opening day of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha Monsoon Session on 13 July 2026 , following the Indian parliamentary tradition of honouring recently deceased cultural icons at the start of legislative sessions.
What is the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha Monsoon Session?
The Monsoon Session is one of the regular sittings of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha , the state's unicameral legislature with 90 seats . Sessions are held periodically to conduct legislative business, pass budgets, and discuss policy matters.
What awards did Teejan Bai receive from the Government of India?
Dr. Teejan Bai received three of India's highest civilian honours: the Padma Shri in 1987 , the Padma Bhushan in 2003 , and the Padma Vibhushan in 2019 , all in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to Indian folk music and performing arts.
