Barihat, Kamrup, May 16: Amid the growing use of concrete and plastic, a 55-year-old artisan from Assam’s Kamrup district is quietly preserving the traditional craft of bamboo work while creating livelihood opportunities for rural workers.
Matiram Rabha, a resident of Loharghat village, has been working with bamboo since 2009, crafting decorative items, bamboo houses and eco-friendly structures inspired by traditional village architecture.
At present, Rabha and seven workers are engaged in building a bamboo house project named “Gratisco Agro Farm” at Barihat. The structure, now nearing completion, has attracted attention for its unique design and use of natural materials.
Standing beside the half-finished structure, Rabha said his interest in bamboo craftsmanship began during his childhood.
“In our village, bamboo was part of everyday life. Houses, fences, household items — everything was made from bamboo. Watching those works since childhood inspired me to take it up professionally,” he told Hub News.
To improve his skills, Rabha later underwent training under the Government of India’s Bharatiya Bamboo Mission at Agartala Lisu Plantation, where he learned modern techniques in bamboo designing and finishing.
Over the years, he has worked on projects in several parts of Assam, including Goalpara, Kamrup, Darrang, Nalbari and Upper Assam. He said he had also received offers to build bamboo beach houses in Hyderabad and Mumbai, but was unable to take them up because of personal commitments.
For Rabha, bamboo work is not just a craft but also a source of sustainable livelihood.
“People often think bamboo is only for temporary use, but it can be turned into beautiful and durable structures. There is demand for this kind of work, and rural youth can earn a good livelihood from it,” he said.
He believes bamboo craftsmanship has strong potential at a time when people are increasingly looking for eco-friendly alternatives and natural designs.
One of his co-workers, Bitupan Rabha, said working with bamboo craft has helped him support his family while learning a traditional skill.
“We have been working together for years. It gives us regular income and also keeps our traditional craft alive,” he said.
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