India has a rich forest cover, which has provided ample resources for creating priceless handicrafts from a very long time. Bamboo craft in India is very popular, owing to its ecofriendly attributes. Right from ancient times, bamboo crafts constituteda significant position with India producing a large amount of bamboo and cane. The bamboo craft is mainly associated with cane and bamboo, artefacts. It is also an expression of tribal art, providing them livelihood.

India has a rich forest cover, which has provided ample resources for creating priceless handicrafts from a very long time. Bamboo craft in India is very popular, owing to its ecofriendly attributes. Right from ancient times, bamboo crafts constituteda significant position with India producing a large amount of bamboo and cane. The bamboo craft is mainly associated with cane and bamboo, artefacts. It is also an expression of tribal art, providing them livelihood.

The Indian artisans are quite skilled in creating a wide array of bamboo items with impressive variations in their creations. There are three major species of Bamboo used, namely Calamus tenuis, Calamus leptesadix and Calamus floribundus, in addition to Calamus garuba and Calamus flagellum which are used for creating wonderful designs. The essential tools which is required for bamboo craft are bill-hook, knife and a ‘v’ shaped wooden frame. For creating bamboo furniture, other implements like saws, pliers, hammers, and pincers are used apart from daos and knives. Caneand bamboo products are mostly manufactured in the outdoors of home and the craft has no need for any special arrangement, in rural areas. In urban areas, these are manufactured in dedicated workshops.

The products of bamboo are generally of two types, such as articles which is made for daily use, more suited for local requirements and those of finer quality, considered both decorative and functional, to cater for the more sophisticated markets. There are items like baskets, combs, crossbows, Bamboo Mats, mugs, hukkas, musical instruments, fishing devices, floor mats, and handles made with Bamboo. Artisans also create winnowing baskets, oblong caskets, oval boxes, and flower baskets, dolls, toys etc.of different sizes and designs. An impressive variety of furniture items are made using Bamboo to suit the aesthetic needs of our modern homes. The bamboo mats are also used extensively for building temporary walls, sheds, pandals, dwelling houses and also for roofing of country boats, etc.

Cane, which is an offshoot of Bamboo industry is one more famous craft in India. The product is used for makingbaskets, trays, and quite a few utilitarian objects and beautiful fancy articles. Bamboo and cane craft are in demand all over India. The ancient and tribal craft has helped our artisans to make a distinct mark in the international market. In fact, Bamboo is considered the backbone of rural economy in many areas of our country.Araku valley in Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh is noted for this craft, with the artisans of the hills creating diverse range of Bamboo products, available for sale in the picturesque hill station. The skills of these tribals has added a distinct appeal to the attractive artefacts. The Government of Andhra Pradesh, is leaving no stone unturned to provide aid to the several Bamboo making rural hamlets of the state, along with required marketing support.