Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief on Sunday, July 5, 2026, over the passing of Teejan Bai, the celebrated Pandavani folk singer from Chhattisgarh, calling her death an irreplaceable loss for the world of art and culture.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote in Hindi: 'सुप्रसिद्ध पंडवानी गायिका तीजन बाई जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है।' ('I am deeply saddened by the passing of the renowned Pandavani singer Teejan Bai.') He added that she had given Chhattisgarh's folk art a distinct identity across the world through her magnificent performances, and that her departure is an irreparable loss for the realm of art and culture. He extended his condolences to her family and loved ones.

Context

Teejan Bai was the foremost living exponent of Pandavani, a traditional ballad-singing and dramatic performance art of Chhattisgarh that narrates episodes from the Mahabharata. Born into a modest family in the state, she began performing as a child and went on to take the art form to international stages across multiple continents, making her one of India's most recognised folk performers globally.

She was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2003 and the Padma Bhushan in 2019, two of India's highest civilian awards, reflecting the national recognition her work received over decades. The Sangeet Natak Akademi has periodically conferred awards on Pandavani exponents since the 1980s as part of broader efforts to preserve oral and performing traditions.

Policy Backdrop

The tributes paid by Prime Minister Modi fit a consistent pattern of publicly acknowledging the contributions of regional folk and classical artistes to India's intangible cultural heritage. Such statements have accompanied the passing of several leading figures in Indian performing arts over the years, reinforcing the government's stated emphasis on celebrating linguistic and artistic diversity.

Pandavani as a tradition had benefited from state and central support through cultural festivals and the Akademi's grant programmes. Teejan Bai's decades of work were central to bringing this largely oral tradition to mainstream national and global audiences, and her international tours helped position Chhattisgarh's folk heritage on the world cultural map.

Stakeholders and Impact

The folk artiste community of Chhattisgarh, younger Pandavani practitioners, and the broader Indian cultural establishment now face the challenge of sustaining a tradition that was, in large part, personalised through Teejan Bai's singular stage presence. Her passing leaves a significant void in the living transmission of the art form.

Cultural organisations, state institutions, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi are expected to be among the primary bodies that will now look at how to preserve and promote Pandavani in her absence. The folk artiste community in Chhattisgarh and her family are the immediate stakeholders bearing the loss.

What's Next

Observers will watch for announcements from the Chhattisgarh government and the Sangeet Natak Akademi regarding memorial programmes, institutional tributes, or posthumous honours in the coming weeks. The question of how Pandavani's global momentum is maintained — and who carries forward Teejan Bai's legacy — will shape the art form's future in the years ahead.