At just 28, Shruthi Prakash has crafted a space for herself in the world of sustainable design. In 2022, she launched Ombak, a furniture and home décor brand rooted in one powerful belief—nature is the ultimate designer. What sets her brand apart is its unique use of waste plants like banana fibre, seagrass, and water hyacinth to create furniture and decor pieces that are both beautiful and environmentally conscious.

Shruthi’s journey began with her love for interior aesthetics. While working on home design projects, she realized that most of the furniture available in the market was either mass-produced using synthetic materials or lacked sustainability. With a background in design and a strong sense of environmental responsibility, she decided to explore how India’s abundant natural fibres and neglected waste plants could be turned into durable, elegant furniture.

Thus, Ombak was born. The name itself, which means "waves" in Indonesian, reflects the brand's fluid, earthy aesthetic and commitment to sustainability. Shruthi partnered with local artisans and craft communities skilled in traditional weaving and natural fibre work. Together, they began crafting chairs, stools, tables, light fixtures, and decorative elements from plant-based materials like banana fibre, water hyacinth, seagrass, and even jute.

Banana fibre—extracted from the pseudostems of banana trees after the fruit is harvested—is both strong and flexible. It forms the base of many of Ombak’s chairs and seating furniture. Water hyacinth, an invasive plant often seen choking water bodies, is cleaned, processed, and woven into intricate decor items and baskets, giving it a second life. Seagrass, naturally abundant in coastal areas, brings a rustic yet refined look to mats and upholstery.

By using what nature discards, Ombak not only reduces the environmental burden but also revives traditional craftsmanship. Shruthi has set up ethical supply chains, where artisans are paid fairly and taught modern design techniques that help them stay relevant in today’s market.

The response to Ombak has been overwhelming. Eco-conscious homeowners, boutique hotels, and designers are embracing this earthy aesthetic. Each Ombak product is handcrafted, biodegradable, and carries a story—from the fields and rivers of India to a sustainable living space.

Shruthi is now working on expanding Ombak’s reach globally, with plans to showcase the brand at international design expos and export select collections. She's also collaborating with environmental NGOs to harvest invasive plants responsibly while restoring water bodies.

In a world flooded with mass-manufactured decor, Shruthi’s Ombak proves that sustainability and style can coexist—one woven strand of banana fibre at a time.