New Delhi, Jul 5: President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, chief ministers and leaders across party lines on Sunday paid tribute to legendary Pandwani exponent and Padma Vibhushan awardee Teejan Bai, describing her death as an irreparable loss to India's cultural heritage.

Teejan Bai died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raipur early Sunday after a prolonged illness. She was 70.

Hospital officials said she died at 3:15 a.m. after undergoing treatment since May 27 for a severe lung infection, sepsis and acute kidney injury.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest exponents of Pandwani, the Chhattisgarh folk tradition of narrating stories from the Mahabharata through music and dramatic performance, Teejan Bai was credited with taking the centuries-old art form to audiences across India and abroad.

President Murmu Pays Tribute
President Murmu said the veteran folk artist's death was "extremely heartbreaking."

"With her powerful voice, commanding presence and unique style of presentation, she brought the tales of the Mahabharata to life on stage," the President said in a post on X.

प्रख्यात पंडवानी कलाकार तीजन बाई जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद है। उन्होंने अपनी सशक्त आवाज, प्रभावशाली उपस्थिति और अनोखी प्रस्तुति से महाभारत की कथाओं को मंच पर जीवंत किया। अपनी विलक्षण प्रतिभा, समर्पण और वर्षों की साधना से उन्होंने छत्तीसगढ़ की समृद्ध पंडवानी परंपरा को…

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 5, 2026

She said Teejan Bai's dedication helped popularise Chhattisgarh's Pandwani tradition across the world and that her contribution to preserving India's cultural heritage would always be remembered.

Amit Shah Calls It 'Irreparable Loss'
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described her passing as "an irreparable loss to the world of art."

पद्म विभूषण से सम्मानित प्रख्यात पंडवानी गायिका तीजन बाई जी का निधन कला जगत के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है। अपनी अद्वितीय प्रतिभा और समर्पण से उन्होंने पंडवानी लोककला को विशिष्ट पहचान दिलाई। छत्तीसगढ़ की इस लोककला के संवर्धन में उनका योगदान सदैव स्मरणीय रहेगा। ईश्वर दिवंगत पुण्यात्मा को…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 5, 2026

He said Teejan Bai gave Pandwani a distinct identity through her extraordinary talent and lifelong dedication, adding that her contribution to preserving Chhattisgarh's folk traditions would remain unforgettable.

Chhattisgarh To Accord State Honours
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai visited AIIMS Raipur to pay his last respects and announced that Teejan Bai would be accorded full state honours.

Calling her death "an irreplaceable loss" for Chhattisgarh and the nation, Sai said she elevated the state's folk culture to global recognition through her unmatched artistry.

State minister Kedar Kashyap also paid tribute, saying Chhattisgarh had lost "its most resounding voice" and that her contribution to the state's cultural identity would be remembered forever.

Leaders Across Parties Mourn
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described Teejan Bai's death as "extremely heartbreaking," saying her contribution to preserving and promoting Indian folk art was unforgettable.

UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said she carried Pandwani to every household and inspired generations through her dedication to folk culture.

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Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel called her "an invaluable gem of Chhattisgarh," saying her death was a profound loss to Indian art and culture.

Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij said her passing was an irreplaceable loss not only for the state but for the country's cultural heritage.

A Life Dedicated to Pandwani
Born in 1956 in Ganiyari village near Bhilai, Teejan Bai rose from humble beginnings to become one of India's most celebrated folk artists.

Her powerful singing, dramatic narration and distinctive performance style brought Pandwani to international audiences and earned her some of the country's highest civilian honours.

She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2003 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2019. She also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995 for her contribution to Indian folk arts.