History & Culture | GS I
The President of India and other senior leaders paid rich tributes to legendary Pandavani exponent and Padma Vibhushan awardee Teejan Bai, who passed away in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, marking the end of an era in India's folk story-telling tradition.
What is Pandavani?
• A folk narrative performance tradition originating in Chhattisgarh (also practised in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Odisha).
• It narrates episodes from the Mahabharata, particularly the lives and exploits of the
Pandavas.
• It combines storytelling, singing, acting,improvisation, and music.
• Musical Accompaniment
• Principal instrument: Ektara (Tambura)
• Accompanied by instruments such as harmonium, tabla, manjira, and dholak.
Styles of Pandavani:
• Vedamati Style
• The performer remains seated.
• Greater emphasis on narration and singing.
• Consider the traditional style.
• Kapalik Style
• The performer stands, moves across the stage, and dramatically enacts different characters.
• Characterised by expressive gestures andtheatrical performance.
• Teejan Bai popularised the Kapalik style, transforming it into the dominant performance tradition.
Teejan Bai's Contribution
1. Broke Gender Barriers
• Became the first woman from the Pardhi community to publicly perform Pandavani.
• Defied social customs that reserved the Kapalik style exclusively for men.
• Faced ostracism from her community but continued performing.
2. Popularised Pandavani Globally
• Began performing professionally at the age of 13.
• Was introduced to national audiences by renowned theatre personality Habib Tanvir.
• Later performed before Indira Gandhi, which brought her national recognition.
• Represented India in numerous international cultural festivals, including multiple performances in Paris.
3. Guru and Cultural Ambassador
• Trained nearly 200 students, ensuring continuity of the tradition.
• Elevated Pandavani from a regional oral tradition to a globally recognised performing art.
Awards & Honours
• Padma Shri (1988)
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1995)
• Padma Bhushan (2003)
• Padma Vibhushan (2019)
• She was the only person from Chhattisgarh to receive the Padma Vibhushan.
What is the cultural significance of Pandavani?
Preservation of Oral Heritage
• Kept the Mahabharata alive through oral storytelling traditions.
• Demonstrates the richness of India's intangible cultural heritage.
Women’s Empowerment
• Challenged entrenched gender norms in folk performance.
• Inspired generations of women to enter traditional performing arts.
Evolution of Folk Arts
• Reimagined Pandavani as a dynamic stage performance while retaining its traditional
essence.
• Expanded its appeal across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Cultural Diplomacy:
Her international performances projected India's folk traditions and cultural diversity to global audiences.
Conclusion:
Teejan Bai's legacy extends far beyond Pandavani. By challenging social barriers and revitalising an ancient oral tradition, she demonstrated how individual courage can preserve cultural heritage while making it relevant to contemporary audiences. Her life remains a powerful example of how folk arts can serve as instruments of cultural continuity, social change, and India's soft power.