Pisadu Ram Mandavi (b. 1956; Bastar, Chhattisgarh) is an artist working within the Muria artistic tradition. Raised in a farming family, his early experiences of rural life and his close relationship with the forests and landscapes of Bastar continue to inform his distinctive visual language.
He began his artistic journey through the traditional practice of Muria wood carving, learning within the family of Padma Shri awardee Pandi Ram Mandavi. His practice later developed through his association with Belgur Mandavi, whose engagement with Bharat Bhavan’s pioneering initiatives in regional artistic traditions, led by J Swaminathan, opened new possibilities for exploring traditional visual languages within contemporary contexts. Inspired by these developments, Pisadu Ram Mandavi expanded his practice into painting, developing a distinctive pointillist style that has become characteristic of his work.
Over the course of his career, Mandavi has participated in exhibitions and artist initiatives at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, and other platforms engaging with contemporary art practices rooted in regional traditions. His paintings reflect the continuity of Muria visual knowledge while exploring new forms of expression through colour, pattern and composition.
In recognition of his artistic contribution, Pisadu Ram Mandavi received the Ojas Art Award in 2026. Through his paintings and continued engagement with Muria artistic traditions, he contributes to the evolving language of contemporary Indian art while preserving the cultural memory and visual narratives of Bastar.