Padma Vibhushan Tejan Pai dies at the age of 69; The world of folk art mourns the loss of legendary exponent Pandavani
India has lost one of its most famous folk artists with the passing of Padma Vibhushan Tejan Pai.Legendary exponent Pandavani passed away at the age of 70 after a long illness, as reported by PTI.
She breathed her last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), in Raipur, where she was receiving treatment for several weeks, Aaj Tak reported.Doctors at AIIMS confirmed her death after her condition deteriorated during the early hours of the morning.
He was hospitalized after health complications
Teejan Pai was admitted to AIIMS, Raipur, on May 27 this year after he suffered from breathing difficulties and severe weakness. Doctors treating the veteran artist had previously stated that she was suffering from life-threatening complications along with several pre-existing medical conditions.According to hospital authorities, her health condition deteriorated significantly around 3:15 am on Saturday. Despite medical efforts, he was unable to revive her.
Raid Pandavani
Born in 1956 in Janyari village in Durg district, Chhattisgarh, Tejan Bai dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Pandavani, a traditional storytelling performance based on the Mahabharata.
A career decorated with prestigious awards
The Government of India honored the veteran artist with the Padma Shri in 1988, followed by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995.
She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2003, the same year in which she was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts (D. Litt.) from Bilaspur University.She was awarded the MS Subbulakshmi Centenary Award in 2016, the prestigious Fukuoka Award in 2018, and the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour, in 2019.Veteran artist Teejan Pai’s journey from a small village in Chhattisgarh to becoming one of India’s most celebrated cultural ambassadors is certainly inspiring.
