Chhattisgarh govt to name school after Pandvani legend Teejan Bai in tribute to folk legend

Business To Business, Raipur, 05^th July, 2026:    The Chhattisgarh government will name a government school in the native village of legendary Pandavani exponent Teejan Bai in her honour, School Education Minister Gajendra Yadav announced on Sunday as the state bid farewell to one of its most celebrated cultural icons.
Padma Vibhushan awardee Teejan Bai, who popularised Chhattisgarh's traditional Pandavani storytelling art on the global stage, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raipur on Sunday morning after a prolonged illness. She was 70.
Announcing the tribute, Yadav said a government school in Ganiyari village in Durg district, her birthplace, will be renamed to commemorate her extraordinary contribution to Indian folk art and to inspire future generations.
The minister visited Teejan Bai's residence in Ganiyari, where he paid floral tributes to her mortal remains before the last rites. He also joined the funeral procession and attended the cremation, paying his final respects to the renowned folk artist.
Widely regarded as the face of Pandavani, a traditional narrative performance based on episodes from the Mahabharata, Teejan Bai earned international acclaim for taking the centuries-old art form to audiences around the world. Her powerful performances and distinctive storytelling style played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Chhattisgarh's rich cultural heritage.
She was honoured with several of the country's highest civilian awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Indian folk arts. Her passing marks the end of an era for the Pandavani tradition, leaving behind a lasting cultural legacy.