Padma Vibhushan and world famous Pandwani singer Dr. Teejan Bai was given a final farewell with full state honors in her native village Ganiyari. Know the whole story of his struggle, incomparable contribution to folk art, respect and the indelible legacy he left on Indian culture.
One such voice of the world of folk art became silent forever on Sunday, which brought the fragrance of the soil of Chhattisgarh to the big stages of the world. World famous Pandwani singer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Teejan Bai was cremated with full state honors in her native village Ganiyari. In the presence of thousands of people, administrative officials, public representatives, artists, litterateurs and common citizens bid him a last farewell with tearful eyes.
As per the instructions of the state government, all the formalities related to state honors were completed during the last rites. There was such an atmosphere of mourning and respect in the village, where every person in his own way was paying his last respects to this great practitioner of folk art.
The voice that lifted Pandwani from the village to the world stage
Dr. Teejan Bai not only kept alive the traditional folk singing style like Pandwani, but also gave it international recognition. His art of narrating the stories of Mahabharata with his impressive acting, powerful voice and lively presentation introduced Indian folk culture to millions of people not only in India but also abroad.
His journey from rural environment to reach the global stage is considered an example of struggle, hard work and dedication. Despite limited resources and many socio-economic challenges, he achieved a position on the strength of his talent, which will always be remembered in the history of Indian folk art.
From Padmashree to Padma Vibhushan, life decorated with honours.
Dr. Teejan Bai was honored with many national and international awards including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and the country’s second highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan for her extraordinary contribution to Indian folk art. His art gave a new identity to the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh and played an important role in transmitting the folk traditions to the new generation. His achievements were not limited to awards only, but he also made an important contribution in making Indian folk art a part of the global cultural discourse.
End of an era, but the legacy will live on
The death of Dr. Teejan Bai is being considered an irreparable loss for Indian folk art. Thousands of people present during the funeral in Ganiyari pledged to carry forward his cultural legacy. Even though his voice has become silent today, the vigorous tradition of Pandwani, which he cherished throughout his life and spread to the world, will remain a source of inspiration for the coming generations. His name will always be taken with respect and pride in the history of Indian folk culture.