Prayagraj: The powerful voice of Pandavani, which gave a new identity to Indian folk art on the world stage, has now become immortal in memories. A heartfelt tribute was paid to Padma Vibhushan Late Dr. Teejan Bai at a condolence meeting organized by the North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India on Sunday before immersion of her ashes in Sangam. The presence of artists, theatre artists, litterateurs, culture lovers and eminent citizens of the city in the condolence meeting proved that Teejan Bai was not just a folk singer, but a living identity of Indian folk culture. In the atmosphere resonating with reverence, memories and hymns, every eye was moist and on every tongue there was a voice of respect for this great personality of folk culture.
It is noteworthy that the world-renowned Pandavani singer and great practitioner of Indian folk tradition, Padma Vibhushan Late Dr. Teejan Bai, passed away on July 5, 2026, at the age of 70, at AIIMS Hospital in Raipur. In the condolence meeting, the Centre’s Deputy Director, Dr. Mukesh Upadhyay said, “Dr. Teejan Bai was an invaluable asset of Indian folk culture. With her struggle, dedication and amazing art practice, she gave a new identity to Pandavani across the world. Her entire life will always be a source of inspiration for art practitioners.”
Program advisor Kalpana Sahay said, “True talent doesn’t need resources. He brought glory to Indian folk traditions on the world stage.”
Paying tribute, Dr. Dhananjay Chopra said, “Even at a time when there was a lack of resources, Teejan Bai gave international recognition to Pandavani through her unique skills and hard work. Her life will remain a source of inspiration for every folk artist.”
The urn containing the ashes of late Dr. Teejan Bai was brought from Durg, Chhattisgarh, by her son Dilharan Pardhi, grandson Saurabh Pardhi, grandson Jhakeshwar Deshmukh and Dhannulal Sinha (Secretary) and Manharan Sarva to the North Central Zone Cultural Centre by train. In the tribute programme organised before the immersion of ashes at Sangam, Manoj Gupta gave a soulful rendition of Gayatri Mantra, ‘Bhaj Man Charan Ram Sukhdayi’ and ‘Hey Ram, Hey Ram’. These renditions, filled with devotion and reverence, moved the entire auditorium, and the people present paid their last respects to late Teejan Bai by remaining silent.
The ashes of the late Dr. Teejan Bai will be immersed in the Sangam on Monday as per the rituals. On this occasion, Dr. Dhananjay Chopra, Abhilash Narayan, Ajay Mukherjee, Ram Prakash Rai, Dr. Krishnanand Pandey, Sushma Sharma, Bhupendra Shukla, Pranesh Desh Pandey, Ranjana Tripathi, Ashraya Dwivedi, Bina Singh, Rakesh Sinha, Kanchan Lal, Uday Chandra Pardeshi, Rajesh Gupta, Sangeet Rai, Anuradha Srivastava, Sangeeta Dwivedi, Swati Nirkhi, Umesh Kanaujia, along with all the officers and employees of the center were present.
