Padmashree awardee Teejan Bai performs Pandvani at Magadh Mahila College in Patna on Monday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Sept. 6: Teejan Bai, the famous exponent of Pandvani folk theatre form, performed today at the Magadh Mahila College here.

Her performance was a part of Virasat 2010, a series of cultural programmes being organised by Spic Macay.

She performed ‘Draupadi vastraharan’ from the Mahabharat.

Bai chanted the songs and dialogues in a Chattisgarhi accent. She was accompanied by various musical instruments.

Bai not only performed the role of Draupadi but also that of Duryodhana, Shakuni, Dushashana as well as the Pandavas.

She was accompanied by Tirendra Yadu (harmonium), Kewal Prasad Deshmukh (tabla), Keshav Thakur (vocals), Khemlal Netam (manjira), Tukaram Thakur (banjo) and Narottam Netam (accoustics).

Thakur is also an exponent of the ragi form that complimented Bai’s narration.

The most striking moment of the performance was the rendition of the song chola tor mati hena, kaya tor mati hey, depicting the intense pain of Draupadi.

The lyrics of the song spoke of the cycle of human life and of the human body that is composed of soil.

She also interacted with the audience, joking about the characters and relating them to contemporary incidents from everyday life.

She left no stone unturned in her performance and helped the audience connect with the epic.

She also performed ‘Draupadi swayamwar’ at Krishna Niketan school and ‘Shankar-Arjun swambad’ at Literary School.

Teejan Bai said: “I came here with three colours: my tambura represent Krishna, Saraswati and Hanuman.”

She also said: “This tale is an inspiring one. It instils confidence in us. If an old man reads the Mahabharata, he will feel rejuvenated. The epic can make one feel young.”

Teejan Bai said that her grandfather Brijlal Pardhi, had inspired her. She had learnt the art form under his tutelage.

Teejan Bai had also received formal training under Umaid Singh.

Bai performed for the first time, at the age of 13, Chandkhuri village. She was awarded the Padmshree in 1988.

Teejan Bai was also felicitated by Sangeet Natya Academy in 1996.

She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2003.

The Chattisgarh government awarded her with a D. Litt in 2003.

Teejan Bai has also performed in Paris, Switzerland and other European venues.