For Shruthi Prakash, every little thing can become raw material for an eco-friendly product. The founder of Ombak — meaning “a large wave” in Bahasa, the language spoken in Indonesia — is on a mission to find sustainable alternatives for everyday needs, particularly furniture and home decor.
“We make a lot of products using natural alternatives and materials. Our primary materials are banana fibre and water hyacinth. Then, we also use seagrass,” she explains. The finished products from the Chennai-based brand range from furniture such as chairs, sofas, and side tables to home decor items like baskets, planters, and wall decor.
However, the most interesting material Prakash is currently exploring is pine needles. “They are a very good alternative for a hotel or high-utility kind of business. Among eco-friendly options, it’s the most water-resistant. For example, banana fibre lasts about three years, whereas pine needle products can last a lifetime. They’re also better suited for sun and water exposure, as the chances of colour degradation and other damage are lower,” she says.
Shruthi Prakash
Ombak sources its materials from Himachal Pradesh, in partnership with a few NGOs. “In Himachal, it’s an all-women team. In Kolkata, it’s 85% women. I want to create more spaces where women can come together,” adds Prakash.
After gaining exposure to sustainable and eco-friendly product-making in Indonesia, Prakash says she’s inspired by the way materials are used there. “In India, if you take banana fibre, I would say 95% of what’s available in the market is in rope form. You extract the fibre into thin straws and weave them. But in Indonesia, I learned how to process the fibre into sheet form. It’s about knowing which part of the tree stem to extract to get that result. So while I wouldn’t call it innovation, I’d say I was able to create newer products and designs simply through different material usage,” she explains.
A few finished products.
To bring a vacation vibe into the home, Prakash suggests focusing on natural elements. “We make amenities such as trays, toiletry trays, soap dishes, toothbrush stands, mirrors, lighting, and so on. Any plastic product can be replaced [with these],” she says. For home decor, prices start from ₹600. For furniture, designs are available from ₹12,000 and can go up to ₹40,000. Natural materials, Prakash adds, tend to work better in South India. And places such as Coimbatore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru have responded to her brand the best so far.
Ombak’s architectural clients include Poetics, a design build studio in Bengaluru, which is known for its modern, eco-friendly architectural design, interior furnishing, and creating natural edible home gardens; and Interior 360, an architectural firm that specialises in interior design.
Currently, Prakash is partnered with Toran, a Chennai-based furniture showroom, and is looking for more such collaborations.
The products are available at ombak.life.
Be pine needle ready
Dos
Air it occasionally: Every few months, place it in indirect sunlight for an hour to prevent mustiness.
Dust occasionally: Use a soft brush or cloth to remove accumulated dust. This keeps the fibres clean and prevents buildup.
Treat with natural oil (optional): You may lightly rub with coconut or linseed oil once in a while to restore flexibility and sheen.
Don’ts
Don’t use it to store wet or oily food: Avoid placing moist or greasy items directly in it. Always use a liner if using it to store food.
Don’t leave it in direct sunlight: Constant exposure to sunlight can fade the colour and make the fibres brittle over time.
Don’t use harsh cleaners: Avoid chemical sprays or alcohol-based cleaners. Use only mild, natural cleaners, if needed.
Don’t crush or stack heavily: Pine needle products are sturdy, but can lose their shape with improper stacking
Published – July 04, 2025 07:59 pm IST
