Pisadu Ram Mandavi

Pisadu Ram Mandavi (born 1956) is an artist from the Muria tribe in Chhattisgarh, a sub-group of the Gond people known for their deep reverence of Nature and progressive social customs. Born into a farming family, Mandavi spent his early life immersed in the rhythms of rural life, but his innate creativity soon led him down an artistic path. He began learning the intricate craft of wood carving from the family of Padma Shri awardee Pandi Ram Maravi, celebrated masters of traditional Muria woodwork. Encouraged by fellow villager and artist Belgur Maravi—who had been invited to Bharat Bhavan under the mentorship of J Swaminathan for his program supporting folk and tribal artists of Central India—Mandavi turned to painting and developed a distinctive style rooted in pointillism. Mandavi along with Maravi went to Bharat Bhavan to showcase his artistic talents. Drawing from the rich cultural heritage of the Muria community, his works reflect the sacred relationship between people, nature, and the spirit world. In Mandavi’s compelling artworks, one can sense the echoes of ancient oral traditions, ancestral worship, and the powerful essence of forest creatures, be they big or small. - Minhazz Majumdar