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Raipur | Alok Putul: The legendary Pandavani singer Teejan Bai, whose name has become synonymous with this ancient Chhattisgarhi art form, has been gravely ill for several months, confined to her bed.

According to her family, she has regressed into a childlike state, speaking and behaving like a child. Blood clots in her brain have caused severe memory loss, and the once-commanding storyteller now struggles to recall even the simplest things.

Her once-vibrant memory has faded, but it seems that the people who once pledged to stand by her have forgotten her as well. Time has dimmed the admiration and support she once enjoyed, leaving her and her family in a state of quiet despair.

Teejan Bai’s daughter-in-law, Venu Deshmukh, expresses the family’s anguish- “We are exhausted from begging for help. This house used to thrive because of her. But after we lost both our sons, our means of livelihood have shrunk. Now, we survive on what little farming we can manage and a small grocery shop at the front of the house. Mother is receiving treatment, but it’s simply not enough.”

The family had hoped that if someone from their household could secure a job, it would ease the burden of medical expenses, especially for the physiotherapy Teejan Bai desperately needed after her paralysis.

However, the ongoing financial difficulties have made it impossible to continue her treatment. Venu adds with a sense of finality that the family has resolved not to ask anyone for help anymore.

When Time Stood Still

There was a time when Teejan Bai’s voice could stop time itself. With her ektara in hand, her performances of Pandavani transported her audience into the epic tales of the Mahabharata.

She had the unique ability to captivate not only those who were physically present but seemingly the universe itself. When Teejan Bai sang, it was as if the world held its breath, hanging onto every note, every word.

Years ago, Hindi poet Bhagwat Rawat immortalized her talent in a line that captures her divine presence on stage: “When Teejan Bai calls out to Time while singing with her ektara, the gods themselves stand in reverence.”

But now, the once-powerful voice that brought stories to life has been silenced by illness. Teejan Bai is too frail to sing or even speak clearly.

The same artist who once embodied the mighty Bhima with a tanpura in hand now struggles to stand, her body weakened by years of illness and neglect.

For those who remember her electrifying performances, it’s heartbreaking to learn that Teejan Bai now finds it difficult to even move. One of her granddaughters shares that although she was treated at Sector-9 Hospital in Bhilai, the family couldn’t always afford private care when it was needed. Currently, a doctor from Berla, in the Bemetara district, manages her treatment.

From Illiterate to Dr. Teejan Bai

Born in 1956, Teejan Bai made her public debut in Pandavani at the tender age of 13 in the village of Chandkhuri. She learned the art form from her maternal grandfather, Brijlal Pardhi, though she herself never had the chance to receive a formal education. Despite this, Pandavani became her life’s calling, and through it, she brought international recognition not only to herself but also to Chhattisgarh and its rich cultural heritage.

Although illiterate in her early years, Teejan Bai eventually learned to write her name and sign documents. As Pandavani grew in popularity across India and the world, she became the face of the Kapalik tradition of this ancient art form. Her fame spread globally, and she performed in numerous countries, showcasing the unique storytelling tradition she had mastered.

Later in life, she secured employment with the Bhilai Steel Plant. In 1988, she was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India. This was followed by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 and many more accolades. In 2003, she was awarded an honorary doctorate (D.Litt.) by Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, and another by Indira Kala Sangeet University, Khairagarh, in 2017.

She also received the Padma Bhushan and, eventually, the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor.

Health Struggles

In 2018, Teejan Bai suffered a heart attack, but after a brief recovery, she returned to the stage to perform Pandavani. However, her health took a drastic turn for the worse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By July of last year, her condition became critical, prompting a flurry of government attention. Then-Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Health Minister TS Singhdeo, and local MP Vijay Baghel all ensured she received the necessary medical care. Yet, that was over a year ago.

Since then, nothing has changed. As seasons come and go, new leaders rise and fall, but Teejan Bai’s life remains in stasis. Her once-cherished tanpura, a constant companion throughout her life, now rests quietly in a corner of the room, its strings untouched, just as Teejan Bai lies silent on her bed.

In a soft, childlike voice, she breaks the quiet in the room and says: “I don’t want to sing Pandavani anymore.”

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