Pandi Ram Mandavi

Pandi Ram Mandavi carves wood in the tradition of the Muria people of Bastar. In 2025 he was named for the Padma Shri in the field of art, from Chhattisgarh ^[1].

Learning from his father

Mandavi was born on 12 February 1957 in Garhbengal, Bastar, into a family of woodworkers ^[2]. His father, a well-known carver, taught him the craft as a child ^[2]. He began with wooden combs and bamboo flutes, and went on to carve swords, axes, bows, walking sticks and whistling flutes ^[2].

Carving a future for others

Through workshops and exhibitions, he has helped other artisans show their work and has raised interest in Muria art among collectors and museums ^[2]. He has co-curated displays in museums, worked on tourist resorts in Chhattisgarh and travelled to France, Italy and Russia with his work ^[2].

He runs a woodwork workshop in his village that gives a livelihood to nearly two dozen artists ^[2]. His honours include the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi’s J. Swaminathan Puraskar (2011) and Chhattisgarh’s state handicraft award ^[2].