About Us
Our Story
Oorjaa is a Bangalore-based design studio that creates lighting using material innovation, circular design, and sustainable craftsmanship. Since 1998, the studio has explored the tactile and expressive potential of handmade paper, plant fibers, and reclaimed materials—crafting lighting pieces that are as thoughtful as they are striking.
What sets Oorjaa apart is its commitment to mindful making. Every piece is handcrafted in small batches using natural materials and waste matter, from banana bark and lokta fiber to upcycled cork and concrete dust. The studio’s practice is rooted in circularity—not only in materials, but in the design process itself, where each object is imagined with longevity, utility, and impact in mind.
Today, Oorjaa’s collections range from pendant lamps and floor lights to wall sconces and sculptures. Each carries a quiet strength—organic forms that hold space gently, casting warmth, texture, and story into every corner they inhabit.
Founder & Design Director
Jenny Pinto
Jenny Pinto began Oorjaa in 1998 as Bangalore’s first handmade paper studio, driven by an urge to work with her hands and a deep sensitivity toward nature and craft. What started as a quiet experiment in material and light gradually evolved into a design studio known for its sustainable, handcrafted lighting.
With no formal design training, Jenny learned by doing—growing alongside her materials. Her early work with banana fiber and lokta paper laid the foundation for Oorjaa’s ethos: tactile, natural, waste-conscious, and made with care. She cultivated a team of artisans, designers, and makers, creating a studio where collaboration and circularity guide both process and product.
Jenny continues to lead Oorjaa as its creative anchor, shaping a practice that is grounded, evolving, and firmly rooted in purpose.
Philosophy & Values
At Oorjaa, our work is shaped by a quiet but steady belief: that design can be a force for good—gentle on the planet, rooted in craft, and led by curiosity. Everything we create is guided by five core pillars:
Sustainability
We prioritise environmentally responsible practices, transforming waste and natural materials into meaningful, long-lasting designs.
INNOVATION
We experiment constantly—with form, material, and light—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to create products that surprise and inspire.
Craftsmanship
Each piece is made by hand, with care and intention. We value the slow process of making and the details that give a product its character.
Community
Oorjaa is built on collaboration. We work closely with artisans, supporting local skill and preserving craft traditions while opening space for experimentation and growth.
Integrity
We’re committed to transparency and ethical practices—from how we source our materials to how we work with people—ensuring our designs are as responsible as they are beautiful.
Materials We Use
We work with natural, waste-based and locally sourced materials to craft our lighting and design objects. Every material we use tells a story—of transformation, resilience, and renewal.
Banana Fibre Paper
Delicate yet durable, this handmade paper is crafted from agricultural waste, giving banana stems a second life.
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Faux Concrete
Made from a blend of industrial waste and natural binders, our faux concrete is lightweight, textural, and low-impact—offering the look of stone without the footprint.
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Lantana
An invasive weed in India’s forests, Lantana is hand-harvested and transformed into a usable material—turning ecological threat into thoughtful design.
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Cork
Renewable and biodegradable, cork is warm to the touch and quietly tactile—ideal for diffusing light.
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