Breathing Life into Wood: Padma Shri 2025 Honors Pandi Ram Mandavi!
In the heart of Chhattisgarh’s tribal belt lives a man whose hands have carved music out of wood, quite literally. Pandi Ram Mandavi, a 68-year-old tribal artisan from the Muria Gond community of Bastar, was honored with the Padma Shri Award for his outstanding contributions to traditional tribal art and craftsmanship.He’s not your typical artist. His gurukul was the jungle, his tools were ancestral, and his inspiration, deeply rooted in nature. Since the age of 12, he’s been shaping pieces of wood and bamboo into flutes, drums, and stunning sculptures, each echoing the voice of his people. The Soul of Bastar, Carved in Every NotePandi Ram Mandavi stayed devoted to the Sulur, a bamboo flute native to Bastar. The Sulur sings of rain dances, harvest songs, and love letters whispered through the forest. Mandavi's instruments carry the very soul of his land. But he didn’t stop at music.He became a magician of wood, embossing entire tribal epics onto wooden panels, turning myths into textures, and crafting figurines that breathe life into festivals and rituals.From Narayanpur to Naples: A Journey Without BordersDespite being born in a remote village, Pandi Ram Mandavi’s art found wings. He carried his tribal stories across oceans, from Russia to Germany, from Italy to Japan, captivating global audiences with his simplicity and brilliance. He didn’t speak the same language, but his art needed no translator. But what makes him even more extraordinary is his dedication to giving back. He’s trained over a thousand students, many from marginalized communities, breathing life into a disappearing craft. The Man, the Mission, the Museum-to-Be!Mandavi wants to build a museum in his village, not just to house his masterpieces, but to create a temple of learning for future generations. He envisions a space where the youth can feel pride in their roots, where art and culture can breathe freely, and where the songs of the Sulur will never fade. His Padma Shri is a torch he carries for every unheard tribal artist for every soul who believes in the power of tradition.
.jpeg)
 (1).jpeg)
.jpg)