Andrija Bajić commemoration erupts in scandal with widow Mala Cana

Legendary folk singer Andrija Bajić, who died on 7 July at age 89, was honored in a ceremony at the MTS hall. The event featured his photograph surrounded by white roses and a video montage of his career with the duo "Braća Bajić," which sold millions of records.

During the ceremony, his widow Svetlana "Mala Cana" Bajić attacked a man from the artists' association SEMUS after he pointed out where she should sit, shouting that family photos of her and Andrija had been omitted. The outburst caused chaos and attracted widespread media attention.

The incident highlighted long‑standing tensions between Mala Cana and Bajić’s daughters, who reportedly rejected her presence. Various public figures, including MP Uglješa Grgur, singer Milena Plavšić, and singer Era Ojdanić, paid tribute to Bajić’s influence on Serbian folk music while noting the strained family dynamics. Reports also mentioned disputes over a lifetime support contract and property claims.

The ceremony underscored Bajić’s legacy as one of the most prolific folk artists in the former Yugoslavia, while the scandal shifted focus to personal conflicts surrounding his estate.