India has lost one of its greatest artists with the death of Padma Vibhushan Teejan Bai.The Pandavani legend passed away at the age of 70 after a long battle with illness, according to PTI. He rested at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, where he underwent treatment for several weeks, as reported by Aaj Tak.Doctors at AIIMS confirmed his death after his condition worsened in the morning.
Hospitalization after health problems
Teejan Bai was admitted to AIIMS, Raipur, on May 27 this year after experiencing respiratory problems and severe weakness. Doctors treating the veteran artist previously said he had life-threatening complications and several pre-existing conditions.According to medical officials, his condition worsened around 3:15 a.m. Saturday. Despite medical efforts, he could not be revived.
A Pandavan pioneer
Born in 1956 in Ganiyari village in Durg district, Chhattisgarh, Teejan Bai dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Pandavani which is a traditional legend based on the Mahabharata.
A work decorated with high honors
The Government of India honored the veteran artist with the Padma Shri in 1988, followed by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2003, the same year he received an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) from Bilaspur University.He received the MS Subbulakshmi Centenary Award in 2016, the prestigious Fukuoka Award in 2018, and the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest honor, in 2019.Veteran artist Teejan Bai’s journey from a small village in Chhattisgarh to becoming one of India’s most prominent cultural ambassadors is truly inspiring.