Tijan Bai, who gave her first stage performance at the age of just 13, fell silent forever on July 5, 2026, at the age of 70. Her passing has sent a wave of grief across the entire country, including Chhattisgarh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state’s Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai, have paid tribute to her. Impressed by the singing of the renowned artist—who brought international recognition to Chhattisgarh through the Pandwani style—the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi once remarked, “You narrate the story of the Mahabharata magnificently.” Tijan promptly replied, “I do not perform the Mahabharata; I narrate the story of the Mahabharata.”
Opposition from Society and Family
She even had to leave her husband because of her singing Pandwani. As a woman narrating the Mahabharata in this style, she endured countless taunts from people. Society and her family strongly opposed her; she faced resistance within her own home and was eventually thrown out. Her first marriage fell apart because of Pandwani, and her second marriage, too, was on the verge of collapse for the same reason. Yet, she never gave up Pandwani; it ran through her very veins. She lived her entire life for Pandwani—or, to put it another way, it would be no exaggeration to say that Pandwani and Tijan Bai were inseparable complements to one another.
Telling Her Husband: “From Today, You Are Nothing to Me”
Once, while Tijan Bai was performing Pandwani on stage in Chhattisgarh, her husband became furious and expressed strong objection using abusive language. In response, Tijan raised her tambura and declared firmly, “You have insulted not just me, but also my art and the stage. Therefore, you are no longer worthy of forgiveness. From this day forth, you are nothing to me.”
Recognition from Renowned Theatre Artist Habib Tanvir
Habib Tanvir, the state’s renowned theatre artist, recognized her talent and honored her. He invited her to perform Pandwani at Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal. It was here that she met Tanvir. Impressed by her singing, powerful vocal delivery, and acting prowess, Tanvir arranged for her to perform Pandwani before the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
Opportunity in ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’
Furthermore, the renowned director Shyam Benegal, impressed by her talent, invited her to perform the Mahabharata episodes in his television series, ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’. In this way, her art reached households across the nation. Recognizing her talent, the Bhilai Steel Plant offered her employment in 1986.
First performance at the age of 13
Tijan Bai gave her first Pandwani performance at the age of 13 at Satichaura Chowk in Chandkhuri village. Her performance there earned her recognition in the surrounding villages as well. She got her first opportunity to perform in the city of Bhilai at a local event. Subsequently, she gained global acclaim for her art, performing in cities like Bhopal, Durg, and Raipur, as well as internationally. Umed Singh Deshmukh taught Tijan Bai the skill of singing Pandwani accompanied by musical instruments. Tijan Bai regarded him as her Guru and affectionately called him ‘Dada’.
Journey from a humble family to the global stage
Born on April 24, 1956, in Ganiyari village of Durg district, Tijan Bai spent her childhood in very modest circumstances. Her father was Hukumchand Pardha and her mother was Sukhvati Bai. From childhood, she held a deep interest in the tales of the Mahabharata and Pandwani singing. She received her initial training in this folk art form from her maternal grandfather, Brajlal Pardha.
Pandwani performances in over 17 countries
She showcased the folk culture of Chhattisgarh to the world by performing Pandwani in more than 17 countries, including England, France, Germany, Turkey, Mauritius, and Japan. Her powerful voice, acting, and storytelling style introduced international audiences to Indian folk traditions.
Numerous prestigious honors at home and abroad
She has been conferred with numerous national and international awards in recognition of her unparalleled contribution to the field of folk art. She was honored with the Padma Shri in 1988, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995, the Padma Bhushan in 2003, Japan’s prestigious Fukuoka Prize in 2018, and the Padma Vibhushan—India’s second-highest civilian honor—in 2019. Additionally, Bilaspur University honored her by conferring a D.Litt. (honorary degree) upon her.
The first woman from Chhattisgarh to be honored with the Padma Vibhushan
She was the first female artist from Chhattisgarh to receive the Padma Vibhushan. She delivered magnificent performances of her art on stages both in India and abroad, represented the country in numerous nations, and established Chhattisgarh’s cultural identity on the global stage.
