Remember Pinocchio, the wooden puppet who came alive? For many of us, the story comes with the fascination of making a toy out of wood. Today, that childhood curiosity is finding a new expression, with woodworking workshops drawing people who want to spend their weekends making something with their hands rather than simply buying it.“My trysts with the planter’s chair, as it is formally known, lasted through my school years… Memories came flooding back when I decided to attend a mini furniture modelling workshop. We were building a 1:5 model chair after all,” wrote author Aparna Jain on her Substack, recalling her experience of making a miniature version of the chair in a recent workshop.
The tools may seem intimidating at first, but with practice and improved technique, they become easier to handle (Pic: @workshopsbywoodling)
‘Woodworking is less about physical strength and more about technique’Before the saw comes out, there’s wood to square, measurements to mark and lines to draw. For some, the appeal is as much about stepping away from screens as it is about learning a new skill. Raaghav Dhingra, a Faridabad-based music composer who recently attended a woodworking workshop, came across it on Instagram while looking for a different creative experience. “Most of my time is spent in front of a screen making music, and I wanted to try something different – being in a physical space, working with my hands, and creating something alongside other people. I had never worked with wood before and went in with a simple plan: to make a key holder for my home.”Poonam Rathore, an architect and furniture designer who conducts woodworking workshops with architect Kapil Grover through their platform Upskill Furniture, has seen a similar shift. While it initially attracted professionals from architecture and interior design, it has gradually drawn hobbyists and people simply interested in learning the craft. “The workshops also introduce participants to materials such as premium teak and real upholstery. There are no nails involved, only joinery,” she says. And while the tools may initially appear intimidating, Poonam says, “It’s not about strength, more about technique. And once you know the technique, it gets easier. The process will challenge one’s patience, but it is a calming experience.”
“Woodworking workshops introduce participants to the technicalities of furniture-making through 1:5 scale models,” says Poonam Rathore, an architect and furniture designer who conducts these workshops (Pic: @upskill_furniture)
For some participants, the workshops also offer a first glimpse into the world of design. Rabani, an educator, who attended Poonam’s workshop with no prior hands-on experience, says, “Rather than just coming here and building a model over the weekend, I feel like I got a glimpse into the job of a designer and the considerations they make. I came back home with a lovely chair, and lots of new skills.”‘Within hours, people can build something from scratch’The growing interest is also reflected in the expanding range of woodworking experiences available to beginners, including carving and whittling.Yukta Chawla, founder of Woodling, a woodworking studio in NCR, meanwhile, has expanded beyond weekend sessions to workshops for birthday parties and corporate workshops across NCR. She says the audience ranges from youngsters and working professionals to people over 50, with many attending simply to pick up a new hobby. The workshops are designed to make woodworking accessible even to those with no prior experience.
“There has been a huge rise in people wanting to learn woodworking and specifically people wanting to pick up new hobbies,” says Yukta Chawla
The trend isn’t restricted to Delhi. Vivek Kumar, founder of Alive, a platform that brings together community experiences, says, “Woodworking is emerging as one of the most popular activities recently. It’s a multi-city phenomenon. It’s among our top five experiences in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi.” The appeal, he believes, lies in the sense of accomplishment. “It’s one of the few experiences where within hours people can learn to build something from scratch and take it home,” he says. The concentration required to work with wood also offers a break from everyday routines. “Woodworking requires focus and it completely takes your mind off your usual problems for a few hours,” he adds.
A participant gives final touches to her miniature chair (Pic: @upskill_furniture)
