Overview

• Mandavi received the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday for his contributions to tribal woodcraft.
• He is the second Padma Shri recipient from Narayanpur district after Hemchand Manjhi was honoured in 2024.
• Over five decades, Mandavi has preserved Bastar’s tribal art through intricate wooden idols and memory pillars.
• His work has featured in exhibitions across major Indian cities including Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Bhopal and Kerala.
• He has also represented India internationally with displays in Italy, Germany, Russia and Poland.