Pandi Ram Mandavi (b. 1957; Garhbengal, Bastar, Chhattisgarh) is one of the foremost practitioners of the Muria wood carving tradition and a pioneering figure in preserving and advancing the indigenous sculptural traditions of Bastar. Trained from a young age by his father, a skilled woodcarver, Mandavi has devoted over five decades to mastering and reinterpreting this hereditary practice. Through his work, he has played a significant role in sustaining the cultural and artistic legacy of the Muria community while introducing it to contemporary audiences in India and internationally.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Mandavi has participated in numerous national and international exhibitions, workshops, and cultural exchanges dedicated to indigenous artistic practices. His sculptures and installations have been presented across India as well as in France, Italy, and Russia, contributing significantly to the wider recognition of the Muria wood carving tradition. Through these institutional and cultural platforms, he has established himself as one of the leading practitioners of indigenous sculptural traditions in India.

His exceptional contributions have been recognised with several prestigious honours, including the Padma Shri (2025), one of India’s highest civilian awards. He is also the recipient of the J. Swaminathan Puraskar, the International Urasgatta Award, and the Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board Award, among other accolades recognising his contribution to indigenous artistic traditions and craftsmanship.

Pandi Ram Mandavi’s works have been featured in exhibitions, publications, and catalogues documenting the artistic traditions of Bastar and contemporary indigenous practices in India. Through his sculptures, installations, and cultural initiatives, he continues to expand the visual language of the Muria wood carving tradition while ensuring its enduring relevance for future generations.