Guwahati: Guwahati-born Varsha Bajaj launched Canboo Crafts, a sustainable venture that turns bamboo into intricate, handmade furniture while creating livelihoods for local artisans.
The brand works with clusters of bamboo craftspeople across Assam, training them in contemporary design and helping them move from low-value utility items to high-end home décor and furniture.
Canboo’s pieces include lounge chairs, coffee tables, pendant lamps, and room dividers — all handwoven using locally sourced bamboo and finished with natural polishes. No plastic or synthetic resin is used.
“Bamboo grows abundantly here, but artisans were stuck making baskets that sold for ₹100,” Varsha says. “We wanted to show its potential as a design material and pay them fairly for their skill.”
Started in 2022, Canboo Crafts now works with over 40 artisans. The team conducts design workshops, standardises quality, and handles marketing and sales through exhibitions and online platforms.
Each piece takes between three days to three weeks, depending on complexity. The weave patterns draw from traditional Assamese motifs but are adapted for modern homes.
Buyers from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai form the bulk of orders. The startup also takes custom commissions for cafes and boutique hotels looking for low-carbon interiors.
