Made with love, made with bamboo: How Mohan Saikia crafts his books

We live in an age where, when one says book, they have to specify if they mean a physical book or a digital book with only an online footprint. Within physical books, sometimes, we ask whether it is a paperback or hardbound, but when was the last time you looked at a book not made of paper? Enter the world of Mohan Saika, also known as the “Bamboo Man of Assam,” who introduced the unique concept of “Bamboo Books.”

A timeless masterpiece which took six years of relentless effort to bring a vision to life. Throughout this journey of countless trials and errors, his wife remained his steadfast support. But his contributions to bamboo craftsmanship extend far beyond books. 

Mohan Saikia grew up in a poor household, facing immense hardships from a young age. Losing his parents early in life, he endured a difficult childhood where even the thought of receiving a proper education seemed like an unattainable dream.

As he grew older, he received help from various people who supported him. Mohan Saikia completed his HSLC from Nitaipukhori School and later pursued his studies at Demow College. “As a child, I worked tirelessly. I would take the cows to the fields, and help with agricultural tasks, and along the way, I learned the art of bamboo craftsmanship. I started by making khorahi, pasi, and other traditional items,” he recalled.

Mohan Saikia is very social, actively participating in various gatherings from a young age. “I used to sing in both male and female voices, perform comedy, and even teach dance to children. People loved me for it. Over time, I was fortunate to receive help from others, including someone who offered me rent without asking for money. People also supported me in taking my HSLC exam and brought their children to me for tuition,” he reminisced fondly about his early years.

At 17, a childless couple approached Mohan Saikia with an offer to adopt him. However, the fire within him to carve his path and achieve something led him to decline the proposal. This was during the Assam Agitation, a time of turmoil and change.

Around that time, a school near his home was burned down due to some internal conflict. Unable to stand by and watch the destruction of a place of learning, Mohan Saikia, along with a group of young people, decided to take action. “We had to rebuild the school, no matter the situation. I, along with a few others, took the lead and started from scratch. We went, cut down bamboo, and built the school,” he recalled with pride.

Mohan Saikia worked at the Radio Centre in Dibrugarh, where he contributed to several popular programs of the time including the famous “Putai Sithi”. However, as time passed, his passion for bamboo craftsmanship grew stronger, leading him to dedicate more time to the craft.

“The first thing I made was a bamboo suitcase, followed by a Japi. I kept them in my house, and when people saw them, they started buying them. As I continued making more items, various stakeholders began approaching me, ranging from government officials to universities and schools,” he recalled.

His vision extended beyond crafting; he dreamed of creating a museum “a place for workshops, meetings, and exhibitions. It’s more than just a source of income; I want it to become a tourist destination,” he shared. He firmly believed that transforming his home into a museum would not only showcase his craftsmanship but also attract tourists to the village, ultimately generating livelihood opportunities for the local community.

Bokota, where Saikia hails from, is home to over 1,000 artisans engaged in bamboo craft. Many have learned the skill from him and run their small-scale bamboo industries. Over the years, he has conducted numerous workshops, training artisans both within the region and beyond Assam, helping to preserve and promote the rich tradition of bamboo craftsmanship.

A lively and ever-smiling individual, Mohan Saikia is a man of many dreams. Yet, beneath his fun-loving nature, his deep desire to bring about change remains unwavering. This aspiration is beautifully reflected in his writings.

Saikia’s humorous poems not only bring laughter but also offer a sharp critique of society. His wit and satire ensure that his message is not lost, making his work entertaining and thought-provoking. These writings have been carefully inscribed in his bamboo books, preserving his creativity and social commentary in a unique and lasting form. 

“During the conflict between the Army and ULFA, I began to engage in bamboo books,” Saikia shared. “To keep myself busy and avoid getting involved in any conflicts, I focused on this work. Moreover, I saw it as a unique endeavour, a way to create something lasting and meaningful. It took me six years to perfect the bamboo book. The journey was filled with numerous trials and errors, but today, I have over 100 bamboo books, and many more are yet to come.”

Mohan Saikia’s bamboo books have covers made from bamboo, while the pages are crafted from the final part of areca nut leaves, known as the sheath, creating a unique and eco-friendly combination of materials. The pages of his books hold the essence of Assamese culture. From Kirtan Ghosa to traditional songs and plays, a bank of literary and art has been carefully inscribed in the bamboo books.

Mohan Saikia, known is not only dedicated to bamboo craftsmanship but has also been actively involved in agriculture. He recalled how he not only sparked interest in farming among others but also encouraged women to take up agriculture.

He shared how he taught women to operate a machine used to extract sugarcane juice. “I made a sugarcane juice extracting machine from bamboo. I encourage women and girls to use it and earn their income. Sometimes, I paid them extra to keep them motivated,” he said.  In addition to farming, Mohan Saikia also engaged in apiculture, teaching the people of his village and nearby areas the art of beekeeping. As a result, many in his community are now actively practising apiculture. “I have conducted numerous experiments in beekeeping, and through my experiences, I now teach others how to do it,” he said.

Mohan Saikia’s house is where all his creations come to life. It’s a beautiful space, with everything he has made carefully placed, each piece telling a story.

With Bohag Bihu around the corner, he has been making Gogona. But that’s not all—his home is filled with home décor items, kitchen essentials, sofas, beds, and even bamboo clothes, shoes, caps, and suitcases. The space feels no less than a bamboo wonderland, where every item reflects his passion for the craft.

When asked who helps him, he said, “Right now, three people work with me. Earlier, there were more. They came, learned, and then started their workshops.” He further shared how they begin by making small items, which are initially collected at his place, while he focuses more on crafting furniture.

Beyond the economic aspects, Mohan sees his work as a conscious effort to reduce plastic consumption. “By making bamboo products—be it clothes, shoes, home décor, or furniture—I try to minimize the use of plastic and synthetic fibres,” he says.

“With the rise of machinery, bamboo is now seen as mere waste,” he says. “Earlier, people used traditional bamboo sieves to remove rice husk, but now everything is taken to the mills. The same is happening in every aspect of our daily lives machines have taken over. Yes, production has increased, and the flow of money is higher, but so is the harm to our environment.” 

Bamboo craft is not just an art for Mohan Saikia; it is a way of life, a philosophy deeply rooted in his being For him, uplifting society does not merely mean providing livelihoods; it means inspiring a shift in mindset, where people recognize the power of eco-friendly alternatives and the urgent need to protect the environment.  Every piece he crafts carries a message, urging people to embrace nature, reduce waste, and create a ripple of change in their surroundings. His work is not just about preserving an age-old tradition but about inspiring a movement where craftsmanship and environmental responsibility go hand in hand, shaping a future that is both beautiful and sustainable. 

Talking about the market, he mentioned, “Previously, the market was very poor, but now people are getting attracted to bamboo craft. Moreover, even the government is recognizing this craft and taking steps to support it.”

Saikia also highlighted a shift in the mindset of the younger generation. When asked whether they are embracing bamboo craftsmanship, he said that while the numbers are still not very high, there has been a noticeable increase compared to earlier times. “Youth are coming forward, attending workshops, and getting engaged in this craft,” he added.

Mohan Saikia’s journey isn’t just about bamboo; it’s about a strong belief, about carving something meaningful out of what most would overlook. His hands, worn from years of shaping and crafting, tell a story of patience and purpose. In a world rushing toward plastic and machines, he holds onto something older, slower but far more rooted. He isn’t just making furniture, books, or household items he’s keeping alive a way of thinking, where nature and human skill exist together, not against each other.

Sitting in his bamboo-filled home, surrounded by things he has made, Saikia doesn’t talk about success in terms of money or fame. For him, the real achievement is seeing young people take an interest, watching someone walk away from a workshop with a skill they didn’t have before.

He knows he won’t be here forever, but his craft will be passed down to those willing to learn. And maybe that’s what keeps him going, the quiet belief that long after he’s gone, bamboo will still bend, hands will still weave, and his village will remember the man who saw a future in something as simple as a piece of grass.

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