ONCE SHE was ostracised by her community for singing Pandavani, being a woman. Once, she had to built her small hut herself and had to borrow food from neighbours. None of her three marriages succeeded due to the stubborn attitude of the society towards her art. But, in spite of all the obstacles, she never left her singing. And today, Padma Bhushan Dr Teejan Bai is cultural ambassador of India. The same Pardhi tribe of Chhattisgarh, to which she belongs, respects her as an icon. The queen of ‘Pandavani’ was in Nagpur on Saturday (July 12), when I caught her exclusively after enthralling performance in SPIC MACAY West Zone Convention at B R A Mundley School auditorium.
“Struggle was obvious, as I selected a different path,” said Teejan Bai, who heard her maternal grandfather, Brijlal Paradhi, recite Mahabharata written by Chattisgarhi writer, Sabal Singh Chauhan. Young Teejan instantly took a liking for it and soon memorised much of it. She was formally trained under Umed Singh Deshmukh.
Her real struggle began when she selected the Kapalik shaili (style) of ’Pandavani’ which was till then, a male bastion. At the age of 13, she gave her first public performance in Chandrakhuri village (Durg) for Rs 10. Since then, Teejan Bai performs in standing, sings out loud in her typical guttural voice, and unique enthusiasm. Today, she is the most renowned singer of this style.
“I have no complaints about anyone today. People all over the world showered their love, blessings on me, which values to me a lot than the hatred from a tribe for a few years,” said Teejan Bai, who is busy in passing on her singing to the younger generation. “I have about 150 students all over the world. Ritu Verma, Indu Thakur, Meena Sahu and several others are gaining popularity these days.”
Teejan Bai said that the folk is our oldest cultural heritage, and we must preserve it for next generations. “For that, I try to visit more and more schools. It’s pleasant to perform for students,” she said stressing on the need of a joint effort for this. On the concluding note, she delivered her guru mantra for upcoming artists -- “Add heart to your efforts, and co-operate with all, you will win!”
This is the report of Teejan Bai's performance at SPIC MACAY's convention at Nagpur on Saturday (July 11) evening.
The epic re-told in different manner
THE performance of Pandvani icon Teejan Bai gave a folk touch to the SPIC MACAY’s West Zone Convention on Saturday evening. The audience, mostly comprised of school students experienced a different beat at Platinum Hall of BRA Association.
Padma Bhushan Dr Teejan Bai’s rule began right from her entry in her trademark Chhattisgarhi attire. Her unique style of interracting with the audience, adding a few modern words in her speech, and offering critique on current happenings won the hearts of the audience. On request of a youth, she started explaining the message given by Lord Shrikrishna Arjuna on Kuru Kshetra. As the story progressed, the performance became more intense. With added dance movements, an element of surprise was also used. Later, her ‘Tambura’ became her only prop during the performance. Sometimes she used it to personify a gada, mace of Arjun, or at times his bow or chariot to play various characters with effective ease and candour.
Teejan Bai was accompanied by her team-mates Keshav Thakur (Vocal), Safindas Manukpur (Harmonium), Keval Deshmukh (Tabla), Narottam Netam (Dholak), Khemlal Netam (Manzira), and Tukkaram Thakur (Benjo.) At the outset, Prabhakar Mundle, Chairman of B R Mundle Trust and his wife enlighted the traditional lamp. Komal Jain gave a brief introduction of the performer while Kona Roy Chaudhari, Principal of Centre Point School, Katol Road, feted Teejan Bai and all her crue at the end. Founder of SPIC-MACAY Dr Kiran Seth, Nagpur Chapter head Dr Neeta Kulkarni, Secretary Ravi Satfale and others worked hard.
(This is the report of Teejan Bai's performance at IMA Hall, Nagpur. This performance was specially for the children of Ira International School, Nagpur)
When Gen-X tunes in to folk flavour
A FERVENT wait, a warm reception, untainted delight, magical merriment, and a revelation to cherish for a lifetime and of course, spellbinding Pandvani! Every student of Ira International School experienced this on Monday morning at the jam-packed IMA Hall, where Pandvani Queen Padma Vibhushan Dr Teejan Bai performed exclusively for them. Above 500 students, who rushed in ten school buses to IMA Hall from their school at Butibori, were left awestruck by the lively narration of ‘Draupadi Swayamvar’ by Teejan Bai and her troupe.
The rhythm of folk music captivated the young minds right from the start as these representatives of Gen-X - used to the sounds of DJs, multimedia effects, electronic instruments, and digital sound tracks - tuned in to the Dholak, Tabla, Harmonium, Manzira and Banjo in no time. The power of Indian folk music to transcend the barriers of age and time was proved when many students expressed that though the language was a little difficult to grasp, they understood the sequences and enjoyed the show.
Teejan Bai selected the ‘Draupadi Swayamvar’ episode after noticing a large number of girls in the auditorium. She explained some part of this Chhattisgarhi poetic form in Hindi for the convenience of students. Children were amazed at Teejan Bai’s energy, dance movements, ease, candour, the use of ‘Tambura’ to personify a mace or a bow, or Arjun’s chariot, and rounds of applause echoed round the auditorium several times during the performance.
Fortified with the usual accompaniments of popcorn, chips and chocolates, the students soon got engrossed in the tale that enfolded through Teejan Bai’s hypnotic voice. Finally, when the students were leaving the auditorium, cherishing the lifetime experience, Teejan Bai’s words, “Ye hamare desh ki Sanskriti hai jo bachcho ne sawarni hai…”, struck a chord both with the children and teachers alike.
At the outset, Principal of Ira International School, Reena Dargan welcomed Teejan Bai and her troupe followed by fine recital of school prayer by the students.
Later, the performers were felicitated. Keshav Thakur (Vocal), Safindas Manukpur (Harmonium), Keval Deshmukh (Tabla), Narottam Netam (Dholak), Khemlal Netam (Manzira), and Tukkaram Thakur (Banjo) accompanied Teejan Bai. The performance was the presentation of SPIC-MACAY, Nagpur Chapter.
(All Pictures by The Hitavada photo-journalist Satish Raut)
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