Dr. Jaidev Bhagel (1942–2014) was a master craftsman of Gadwakam — the ancient Indian art of lost-wax bronze casting — and one of the most celebrated figures in the revival and global recognition of this traditional practice. Born into the Gadhwa metalsmith community in Kondagaon, Chhattisgarh, Bhagel began learning the intricacies of bronze casting at the age of eight under the guidance of his father, Srimanram, a skilled artisan himself.

Renowned for his sylph-like sculptures of tribal deities, animals, and human figures, Bhagel’s work is marked by its delicate detail and deeply spiritual form. From small figurines to monumental public sculptures, his creations captured the soul of tribal folklore and social memory. One of his most iconic works, The Tree of Life — a six-foot bronze sculpture installed at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai — became a powerful symbol of resilience and environmental protest.

Bhagel received the National Award in 1977, the Shikhar Samman in 1982, and was honored with the Shilp Guru Samman in 2002, a title that earned him lifelong reverence. In 2003, he was awarded a doctorate from Ravi Shankar Shukla University for his contribution to Indian traditional arts.

Beyond his personal practice, Bhagel was a teacher, mentor, and institution-builder, creating training spaces for young artisans and promoting Gadwakam through workshops and exhibitions across India and abroad — including in the U.S., U.K., Japan, Germany, and France. His work was instrumental in bringing global recognition to the Gadhwa tradition and expanding its narrative beyond village deities to include broader spiritual and cultural icons.