Master Craftsman Jaidev Baghel born at Kondagaon, Bastar District of Chattisgarh belongs to an aboriginal artisan community whose hereditary specialisation is Gadwakam or bronze metal casting. Jaidev learnt the techniques of casting metals from his father, a well known craftsman of his time. Jaidev Baghel is a great craftsman whose work knows no boundaries.

A  winner  of  the  National  Award  in 1977 and several other awards, show his outstanding skills and his strength lies in his ability to research the origin of his craft and then to take it several steps ahead. Jaidev Baghel has participated in a number of exhibitions in India, Moscow, Heidelberg & Stuttgart - Germany, London, Oxford, Scotland, Australia, U.S.A, Tokyo-Japan, Switzerland, Rome-Italy,Paris-France, Singapore, Hongkong, Bangkok. He lives with his wife Lata, three sons Bhupendra, Dhananjay, Sanjay and twin daughters, Poonam and Purnima, in his ancestral home and also supports the families of his brothers.

About twenty apprentices live and work with him constantly and he has been able to build a common facility centre for his Gadwa workers in Kondagaon.