From RPF officer to an acclaimed Pandavani artist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the remote, Naxal-affected village of Gidhava in Dhamtari, emerges the inspiring journey of Taruna Sahu, a 41-year-old Railway Protection Force (RPF) officer who has also gained acclaim as a Pandavani artist. Presently serving as an Inspector at Rajnandgaon RPF, Taruna’s dual roles in public service and cultural preservation highlight her remarkable versatility and dedication. Taruna’s talent in Pandavani, a traditional folk singing style that narrates stories from the Mahabharata, has earned her widespread recognition. She has received praise from Dr. Teejan Bai, a Padma Vibhushan and internationally renowned Pandavani artist. Taruna has also shared the stage with Teejan Bai at prestigious cultural events, including the Kalidas Samaroh in Ujjain, and has performed in Delhi, Bhopal, Dhamtari, and Raipur. ‘Sharing the stage with the legendary Teejan Bai was a dream come true and a matter of immense pride for me,’ Taruna reflects. She has also performed Pandavani before the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Her dedication to Pandavani has led her to be the first woman artist from Chhattisgarh to receive a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture’s Folk & Traditional and Indigenous Art division (Govt of India).

 

One of her most memorable performances was at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, where she narrated the dialogues between Shankarji and Arjun, and the poignant Draupadi’s disrobing. Reflecting on this experience, she said, “As a folk artist, singing Pandavani on such a grand stage was a moment of immense pride for me. I performed the dialogues between Shankar and Arjun, and the poignant Draupadi’s disrobing for nearly 50 minutes. You won’t believe it, but the heart-wrenching narrative of Draupadi’s disrobing moved the audience and artists from other countries to tears. They praised my performance highly. My Pandavani performance at Ayodhya turned out to be a milestone in my life and elevated the pride of my home state, Chhattisgarh.” For her achievements as a Pandavani artist, Taruna has been selected for an honorary doctorate and has received more than 30 awards, including a felicitation from Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Arun Sao, and the Shakti Samman from Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty. Her journey in Pandavani began in her school days when her music teacher, Shri P.G. Behere, recognized her potential and encouraged her to join a government-sponsored Pandavani camp led by Teejan Bai. Since the age of nine, Taruna has been passionate about this art form. She also holds a degree in Music from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh.

 

Despite her success in Pandavani, Taruna’s journey into the RPF was fueled by a different passion. “In my school days, uniformed services always attracted me. I am a ‘C’ certificate holder of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and have participated in the Republic Day Parade as an NCC cadet. I was also selected for the Intelligence Bureau (IB), but I chose the RPF,” she shares. Excelling in her training, she became a gold medalist in her RPF batch. Throughout her career, she has served in various locations, including Bilaspur, Raipur, Durg, and Mandir Hasaud. Skilled in handling weapons such as the AK-47, Taruna has received multiple accolades, including the GM award, Mukhya Suraksha award, and DRM award, in recognition of her exemplary service. Academically brilliant, Taruna was a topper at Jawahar Navoday Vidyalay (JNV) and her university. Her versatility extends beyond Pandavani as she excels in dance, fine arts, and anchoring for Doordarshan. She attributes her achievements to her supportive parents, both school teachers, and her husband, an Inspector in the Chhattisgarh police. Balancing her roles as a mother, wife, artist, and officer, Taruna’s story is a testament to her resilience and dedication. Taruna strongly advocates for women’s empowerment. “Even if the recognition is small, it should be uniquely yours. Become self-independent and carve a niche of your own in society,” she advises.