Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Waiting for the Ascent : Dharavi


Waiting for the ascent: a woman ponders outside her house

Mumbai is undergoing a sea change and no where else can this change can be felt more than in the big slums like Dharavi where the shanties are being razed by the day to make way for swank buildings & skyscrapers in various projects being undertaken by the SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority).

Millions of residents of the slums are awaiting with bated breaths and hopeful eyes to make the Ascent from the urban poor to the Great Indian Middle class.


hopeful eyes : one of the families in Dharavi in their prayer room cum bedroom cum living room


Dharavi due to its proximity to the swank Bandra Kurla complex and also the airport is inviting the attention of the super big corporates of the likes of the Ambanis and the Godrejs who are competing to corner the largest pie of the slum redevelopment schemes.
























Electric dreams


The Rich or the Poor ,Who makes the biggest ascent in this game remains to be seen........... but many have already made the obvious assumption.

Friday, November 2, 2007

An Indian Wedding at Dharavi

Bride Groom & Baratis at a wedding,Dharavi

Its November again and it is the beginning of the Wedding season in India which lasts upto March.The streets are abuzz with Bandwallas and Baratis dancing with such hysteria and trance that it will put any hard rocker to rethink his moves.Everyone from the neighbors (and their guests), the relatives (and their relatives),family members(and their friends),people on the street(and those on the few streets beyond) join in and play a part in realizing this great Indian Dream with such fanfare and aplomb that it rivals the best Samba parade in the world.

balloon seller at Girgaum Chowpatty


balloon seller Chowpatty

Girgaum Chowpatty is a good place for an evening stroll as well as some photography with the local vendors selling everything from balloons,key chains,kites to Kerala ayurvedic massage oils and other fancy knick-knacks.Its a refreshing experience.



Masks