Teejan Bai: The woman who defied tradition to sing Pandavani
Teejan Bai, the legendary folk musician from Chhattisgarh who broke gender barriers to become the first woman to professionally perform Pandavani, passed away in Raipur on Sunday at the age of 69.
Born into the Pardhi community in the village of Ganiyari, Teejan Bai was married at 12 but ran away from her husband's home at 13 to live alone in a neighbouring village, determined to pursue her passion for Pandavani — an oral storytelling tradition where a lone performer uses music and narration to recount tales from the Mahabharata.
In her village, singing on any public platform was forbidden for women. As a 10-year-old, she would escape to ponds and fields under the pretext of collecting cow dung for the hearth, belting out verses of Pandavani in secret. When she returned home, she often faced shunning from her family and community for daring to perform a form that was traditionally a male preserve.
Despite the opposition, Teejan Bai persevered. She went on to perform across India and internationally, winning several awards including the Padma Shri in 1988. Her rendition of Pandavani brought the art form to wider audiences and inspired many women to pursue their artistic ambitions.
Teejan Bai's life is a testament to extraordinary resolve and determination. Her talent, often described as innate, was coupled with an unwavering courage to defy societal norms. She remained active in her art until her final years, leaving behind a rich legacy of folk music and cultural heritage.
