A sculptural bench handcrafted in Bastar, where furniture becomes a canvas for the forests, animals and folklore of the land. Crafted in the tradition of Padma Shri Pandi Ram Mandavi, each piece is a rare expression of Bastar’s living woodcraft heritage.
Look closely, and the bench begins to tell its story.
Animal heads emerge boldly from either end, while carved legs transform into powerful animal forms. Along its length, an intricate procession of creatures, foliage and geometric patterns unfolds in wood. The seat itself is framed with rhythmic hand-carved motifs, making the piece as compelling from above as it is from the side.
These details draw from the world that has surrounded Bastar’s communities for generations — dense forests, wildlife, folklore and everyday encounters with nature. Here, they are not used merely as ornament; they become part of the structure itself.
Carved by a Master Tradition
The piece carries the craftsmanship associated with Padma Shri Pandi Ram Mandavi, celebrated for preserving and advancing Bastar’s traditional Muria wood art.
The making is slow and deeply manual. The form is shaped, carved and detailed by hand, allowing the artisan to respond to the wood rather than forcing it into mechanical perfection. Small variations, carving marks and irregularities remain visible — the quiet signatures of its maker.
This also means that no two benches can ever be completely identical.
Available as a one, two or three-seater, Muria is made in very limited numbers. Its scale may change, but its character remains unmistakable.
It is a bench, but it is also a sculpture.
A functional object, but also a piece of cultural memory.
Muria is not made for a season. It is made to be lived with, collected, and eventually passed on.
Handcrafted in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
Available in 1, 2 & 3 seater.
Each piece is individually handcrafted and therefore unique.
