Ajay Kumar Mandavi
A self-taught Gond wood carver from Kanker who teaches carving to prisoners and to people who have left Maoist violence, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2023.
- Padma Shri 2023
- Mann Ki Baat #97
- Chhattisgarh
Heroes from Chhattisgarh
People from the state of Chhattisgarh whose work we have profiled.
Showing 1–10 of 10 heroes
Budhri Tati
A Bastar social worker who has spent four decades running hostels and training centres for tribal girls and women, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.
- Padma Shri 2026
- Chhattisgarh
Domar Singh Kunvar
A Nacha folk theatre artist from Chhattisgarh whose shows campaign against child marriage and superstition, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2023.
- Padma Shri 2023
- Chhattisgarh
Hemchand Manjhi
A traditional herbal practitioner in Narayanpur who has offered low-cost care to villagers for five decades, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024.
- Padma Shri 2024
- Mann Ki Baat #109
- Chhattisgarh
Jageshwar Yadav
A Chhattisgarh social worker who has helped the Birhor tribal community settle, farm and send children to school, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024.
- Padma Shri 2024
- Chhattisgarh
Pandi Ram Mandavi
A Bastar woodcarver who has taken Muria tribal wood art to museums and galleries in India and abroad, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2025.
- Padma Shri 2025
- Chhattisgarh
Radhe Shyam Barle
A Panthi dancer from Chhattisgarh whose academy has more than 2,000 troupes spreading the message of Guru Ghasidas, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021.
- Padma Shri 2021
- Chhattisgarh
Ramchandra and Suneeta Godbole
A couple who have spent over 30 years bringing health care to tribal villages in Bastar, honoured together with the Padma Shri in 2026.
- Padma Shri 2026
- Chhattisgarh
Ramlal Bareth
The last living Kathak dancer of the Raigarh royal court, who spent six decades teaching the Raigarh style, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024.
- Padma Shri 2024
- Chhattisgarh
Usha Barle
A Pandwani singer and Panthi dancer from Chhattisgarh who uses folk performance to spread social messages, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2023.
- Padma Shri 2023
- Chhattisgarh