Eco-friendly: The items on display at the Bamboo Research Centre in Auroville. Photo: T. Singaravelou

Sturdy and strong, the graceful bamboo has always been popular as a decorative and structural element. In the construction industry, it is used for the floor and roof. And resort builders use this eco-friendly material to build pagodas and cottages.

“Bamboo is comparable with any building material,” says P. Balasundaram, founder of the Auroville Bamboo Research Centre (ABRC) Vizhupuram, along with S. Sundermohan. It was started in June 2008 with the aim of providing employment to the village youth and as a research project for college students.

Originally written for The Hindu, read more at  https://www.thehindu.com/arts/crafts/Light-graceful-useful/article16879263.ece