Teejan Bai claimed her right to sing

One will probably remember the remarkable talent of Chhattisgarhi folk musician Teejan Bai, who died in Raipur on Sunday at 69, as an innate gift. But what was often admired as genius was her extraordinary resolve.

In Ganiyari village, where singing on any public platform was forbidden for women, people didn’t want their daughters to become like Teejan, the 10-year-old, who under the pretext of collecting cow dung for the hearth would escape to the ponds, fields and naalas to belt out the verses of Pandavani — an oral storytelling tradition from Chhattisgarh, where a lone performer combines music and narration to bring a story from the Mahabharata to life. The sun would go down and Teejan would return home, only to be shunned by family and community because she dared to sing a form that was a preserve of men.

Married at 12, she would run away from her husband’s home at 13 to live alone in a neighbouring village to become Teejan Bai, the first woman to perform Pandavani professionally from the Pardhi community. For decades, one saw Teejan become the Pandavas, Kauravas, Krishna, Bhishma and Karna, shifting effortlessly between characters, conjuring kingdoms and battlefields, with just her voice and an ektara. In the 1970s, Urdu playwright Habib Tanvir, struck by her talent, brought her into Naya Theatre, introducing her to a national audience. She later appeared in Shyam Benegal’s Bharat Ek Khoj and received the Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award. But perhaps her greatest achievement lay in winning the hardest battle to begin with: Claiming her right to sing.

Overall Analysis

The editorial is a heartfelt tribute to the life and legacy of Teejan Bai, presenting her not only as an exceptional folk artist but also as a symbol of courage, resilience, and social transformation. Rather than focusing solely on her artistic achievements, the author argues that her greatest accomplishment was breaking deeply rooted gender barriers and asserting her right to perform a tradition reserved for men.

The editorial begins by challenging the common perception that Teejan Bai’s success was merely the result of extraordinary talent. The author immediately shifts the focus from natural ability to determination, emphasizing that behind every celebrated performance lay years of resistance against social discrimination. This opening establishes the central theme that perseverance is often more significant than talent itself.

The narrative then takes readers into her childhood in a conservative village where women were forbidden from singing publicly. By describing how the young Teejan secretly escaped to fields and ponds to practise Pandavani, the editorial creates a vivid picture of both her passion and the restrictions imposed by society. The contrast between her love for music and the rejection she faced from her family and community highlights the social inequalities that women artists had to overcome. The language is descriptive and emotionally engaging, allowing readers to connect with her struggles.

The final section traces her remarkable journey from a child bride who left her husband’s home in pursuit of her dream to becoming India’s most celebrated Pandavani performer. The editorial briefly recounts her association with Habib Tanvir, her national recognition, and prestigious honours such as the Padma Vibhushan. However, the author deliberately concludes that these awards were secondary to her real victory—earning the freedom to sing despite societal opposition. This ending reinforces the editorial’s central message that true success lies in overcoming injustice and inspiring future generations.

Overall, the editorial blends biography with social commentary. It uses Teejan Bai’s life to celebrate artistic excellence while also highlighting the importance of women’s empowerment, cultural preservation, and the courage to challenge oppressive traditions.

Important Vocabulary (5)

1. Innate – natural or inborn; existing from birth.
2. Pretext – a false reason given to hide the real purpose.
3. Shunned – deliberately avoided or rejected by society or a group.
4. Conjuring – creating or bringing something vividly to the imagination.
5. Preserve – something reserved exclusively for a particular group.

Conclusion & Tone

The editorial honours Teejan Bai as more than a legendary folk artist; it celebrates her as a pioneer who challenged gender discrimination and protected India’s rich cultural heritage. Her life demonstrates that courage, perseverance, and conviction can transform both personal destiny and social attitudes.

Tone: Appreciative, inspirational, respectful, and emotionally reflective.