Bamboo Ugam was founded in 2024 by Priyanka Dapodikar, whose deep connection to bamboo began in her family’s homestead in the valleys in Sahyadri ranges, where her family has passionately restored nature and managed a bamboo grove for over 18 years. Having grown up surrounded by this commitment to the land, Priyanka developed a natural inclination toward working with bamboo.

After pursuing her undergraduate and master’s degrees in architecture in London, Priyanka returned to India in 2021 during the pandemic. She used this time to deepen her knowledge of the local bamboo species and explore its potential. Bamboo Ugam was born out of her desire to raise awareness about the possibilities of these local species and to create opportunities for artisanship, which are still in the early stages of development in this field.

Driven by research and innovation, Bamboo Ugam aims to explore new ways to work with bamboo, focusing on understanding and utilising the specific properties of local bamboo species. Priyanka, along with like-minded experts, has embarked on this venture to bring bamboo into contemporary design and architecture. 

Shubham has been working with bamboo since 2019, slowly learning and refining his skills over the years. He has alot of respect for the material and enjoys exploring what can be made from it.He also helps his family with rice and seasonal farming, staying connected to the rhythm of the land. At Bamboo Ugam, he keeps learning both traditional and new techniques and looks forward to becoming better at his craft with each passing year.

Suresh brings us over 18+ years of invaluable experience to the craft of bamboo work, a passion that has been ingrained in him since childhood. Over the years, he has worked on a wide range of projects, from handcrafted articles and furniture to architectural products. Suresh emphasises, ”We want to highlight the beauty and potential of local bamboo species through our work, supporting sustainable practices and traditional craftsmanship.”
His deep connection to the local bamboo species in Western Ghats, as well as his roots in the Sahyadri mountains, strengthens his dedication to working with bamboo. With Bamboo Ugam, he hopes to nurture a future where bamboo craftsmanship quietly thrives and continues to inspire.

Ankush has been working with bamboo since 2019. His early life spent amidst the local bamboo ecology gives him an intuitive understanding of the material.
In addition to supporting the team with preparation, treatment and finishing work, he is deeply involved in farming alongside his family. For him, Bamboo Ugam is a place to keep learning, work with his hands, and stay connected to the craft.