At just 12, Pandi Ram Mandavi began learning the secrets of tribal woodcraft from his father and grandfather in Narayanpur, Bastar. What began as a child’s initiation into tradition soon became a lifelong devotion to craft and culture.

Today at 68, honored with the Padma Shri and affectionately known as the “Shilp Guru”, he stands as the torchbearer of Gond Muria artistry. From reviving Bastar’s wooden sculptures and embossed paintings to keeping alive the soulful Sulur flute, Mandavi has carved a language that speaks beyond borders.

“All credit goes to my father,” he shares, carrying forward a legacy that has outlived struggle, insurgency, and time itself.

From Narayanpur to Naples, his creations have travelled across continents, finding space in museum halls, luxury hotels, and cultural showcases. He didn’t speak the same language as his audiences, yet his art needed no translation.

By training more than 1,000 artisans, he has ensured that Bastar’s voice will never fade but will echo through every generation.

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