New Delhi, July 5 -- President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday paid heartfelt tributes to Padma Vibhushan awardee and legendary Pandavani exponent Teejan Bai, describing her death as a major loss to India's cultural landscape and remembering the folk icon for taking Chhattisgarh's traditional storytelling art to audiences across the country and the world.

In a message shared on X, the President said Teejan Bai's "powerful voice", commanding stage presence and distinctive style of performance brought the stories of the Mahabharata alive for generations of audiences. She also highlighted the artist's decades-long dedication to preserving Pandavani and said her contribution to India's cultural heritage would always be remembered.

"The news of the...