Novice filmmakers cut their teeth on the stories that emanate from one of Asia’s largest slums - Dharavi. Despite its all-pervading squalor and the grungy bearings the large sprawl of this huge community complex bristles in every lane with artistic outpourings. What comes as a shock to the first time visitor is that with thousands of small scale industries thriving in the area Dharavi has emerged as the epicentre of Mumbai’s incredible economic growth; another shocking discovery is that many of the people here are owners of multi-million dollar companies. Dharavi, it is said generates revenue of a staggering billion US Dollars annually.
Uncovering the nature of Mumbai’s incredible socio-economic narrative Understanding the word ‘ slum’ in the context of Dharavi offers a whole new perspective to life in MumbaiDiscovering the amazing rags to riches stories of many inhabitants
This once marshy fishing village, with its dried-up Dharavi Creek, became the favoured settlement for migration of potters from Saurashtra, Tanners of Tamil Nadu and Artisans of Uttar Pradesh. Over time it evolved into a hub of artisans of every hue contributing to its burgeoning cottage industries.
Following the guide through the noodle-thin lanes of Dharavi you will encounter potters, embroiders and recyclers, leather experts, all bent on making their livelihoods in a bid for survival in one of the grimmest slum colonies in Asia. The guide’s local connections open up new information and a way of touching the core of this walking tour experience. You will also tour the cardboard industries and the recycling industry, to understand the indispensable contribution of Dharavi to Mumbai’s well-being.
Dharavi nurtures a thousand migrant dreams, making it possibly the only slum in the world where people come in vast numbers to make a living. Your co-explorers, who are natives of Dharavi, are educated, employed, speak impeccable English and more importantly, are very happy. We assure you, after the tour, you won’t call Dharavi a ‘slum’, but a land of opportunity.