Pandi Ram Mandavi (b. 1957, Garhbengal, Bastar) is a renowned master of Muria Wood Art, a significant indigenous tradition of Chhattisgarh. Trained from a young age by his father, a skilled woodcarver, he began his artistic journey crafting wooden combs and bamboo flutes, later expanding his repertoire to include wooden swords, bows, battle axes, walking sticks, arrows, and whistling flutes.

Over the decades, Shri Mandavi has tirelessly worked to preserve and promote Muria Wood Art, nurturing a community of artisans and creating platforms for them to share their skills through workshops and exhibitions. His efforts have brought this unique heritage into national and international recognition, with exhibitions, demonstrations, and installations in India as well as abroad in France, Italy, and Russia.

Beyond his artistry, Shri Mandavi is a dedicated cultural guardian, ensuring the authenticity of Muria Wood Art while empowering younger generations to carry forward their ancestral legacy. He runs a wood workshop in his village and has mentored many youths, providing both training and livelihood opportunities.

His contributions have been widely recognized with numerous awards, including the Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board Award, the J. Swaminathan Puraskar, and the International Urasgatta Award (2016). In recognition of his outstanding work, Shri Mandavi was honored with the Padma Shri in 2025, one of India’s highest civilian awards.