Legendary singer Teejan Bai has died aged 69. The beloved Pandavani folk singer died on July 5 after a lengthy illness, her daughter-in-law confirmed. She first shot to fame aged 13 and performed all around the world, with big performances at France, Switzerland, Germany, England, Malta, Cyprus, Tunisia, Italy, Yemen, Bangladesh and Mauritius.
She won a number of coveted awards in India, including Padma Shri in 1988, recognition as Shreshth Kala Acharya in 1994, the Sangeet Natak Academy prize in 1996, the Padma Bhushan in 2003, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2019. According to AIIMS Raipur hospital officials, she had been receiving medical treatment since May 27, after being admitted with breathing difficulties. She was then put on a ventilator.
She had been receiving treatment at AIIMS Raipur for over a month, after being admitted on May 27 with breathing difficulty and general weakness. She was subsequently put on ventilator support.
Pai was suffering from severe lung infection, bloodstream infection (sepsis), and acute kidney injury.
In a statement, her daughter-in-law, Venu Deshmukh, said that the singer was "everything" to their family. She confirmed she had not been able to speak for three years.
She said: "Earlier, she was fine. She was the one who took care of and kept the family members together and, in fact, singlehandedly ran the family. She meant everything to us.
"The entire family has broken down in grief."
Her other daughter-in-law Savitri Bai, her daughter-in-law, who was with her in hospital for over a month, told The Indian Express: "She was unable to speak for six to seven months, but she communicated with hand gestures. When that, too, stopped, we admitted her to the hospital."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the beloved singer in a social media post, writing: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of the renowned Pandavani singer Teejan Bai ji. Through her grand performances, she gave this folk art form of Chhattisgarh a unique identity across the world. Her departure is an irreplaceable loss to the world of art and culture. In this hour of grief, my condolences are with her family and admirers. Om Shanti!"
