Uravu Kalpetta Bamboo Cluster

Our place is out in Thrikkaipetta, over in the Wayanad district. It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s where we work with bamboo every day. There are a lot of us here from the local area. We take the stalks and turn them into different things. It’s hands-on work, so you’ll usually see shavings on the floor and people sitting around working on pieces. We make baskets, some small furniture, and little items people can use at home. It isn't a factory with big machines. Most of it is done by hand with simple tools. Sometimes the weather affects how we work, especially when it’s raining hard in Wayanad. We’ve been part of this cluster for quite some time now. It’s more of a community thing than a strict business. People stop by to see what we are making. We don’t have a big fancy showroom. Everything is just laid out where we finish it. It gets dusty and noisy with all the cutting and sanding going on. But that is just how it is when you’re working with wood and bamboo. We stay busy with whatever orders come in from the village or further away. It’s steady work for the folks here. We just try to make things that last and keep the traditions going without making a big fuss about it. We just show up and do the work.