I’m Kriya Rynjah, a bamboo designer and maker from Meghalaya, an Indian state that records the highest annual rainfall in the world. Here, bamboo forests stretch across the landscape, thriving in the abundant rain. Growing up surrounded by it, one might assume my path with bamboo was inevitable. Yet, my journey was not immediate. It took stepping away—exploring other directions—before I found my way back.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Birmingham City University, UK. After spending several years in the fast-paced commercial design industry in Delhi, I felt increasingly disconnected from the digital nature of my work. I longed for something more tactile—something rooted in nature and craftsmanship. Seeking creative freedom, I transitioned into freelance graphic design, which gave me the flexibility to return to Meghalaya and immerse myself in a deeper exploration of bamboo.

What began as research and experimentation soon evolved into a journey of discovery. With each visit, my fascination with bamboo deepened—not just as a material, but as a living entity with its own rhythm, resilience, and wisdom. The more I engaged with it, the more I felt drawn to a slower, more intentional way of working—one that required me to listen, observe, and respond rather than impose. This shift became so profound that I eventually left the city behind and settled in my forest home in the hills of Meghalaya. There, I spent the next seven years working full-time with bamboo—learning from the land, refining my craft, and allowing the material itself to shape my creative process.

Over time, each piece I created became a tribute to bamboo’s natural beauty and strength. My work remains deeply connected to the people and places that have shaped it—from the homegrown plantations in Assam that nurtured my bamboo to the harvest rituals that honored the land, the local artisans who generously shared their knowledge, and my forest home in Meghalaya, which provided the space and freedom to explore. Though these moments were fleeting, their essence lives on in every crafted piece, carrying the energy and stories of their origins.

Recently, I moved to the south of France, where I continue to explore with curiosity—observing, foraging, and discovering the textures and rhythms of this new landscape. While bamboo remains central to my practice, I am eager to experiment with other natural materials I find here. This marks the beginning of a new creative journey—one that weaves past learnings with fresh discoveries, opening doors to new relationships, collaborations, and ways of making.