On a rainy afternoon, we visited Irfan’s workshop, somehow quieter than the surroundings. We assisted and watched him while he worked, and he narrated his story to us.

Originally from Ratnagiri, Ravi built his career over three decades in Dharavi’s vibrant informal economy. Despite relocating to Diva, he remains deeply rooted in the locality, valuing its close-knit support system. The piece highlights his concerns over redevelopment, the resilience of Dharavi during the pandemic, and the socio-economic networks that sustain livelihoods like his. Ravi’s journey reflects the intersection of creativity, survival, and community in urban informal settlements. 

Samsuddin, a printmaker in Dharavi, Mumbai, whose small but efficient studio reflects the spirit of local enterprise. From printing school uniforms for suburban Mumbai to receiving an order from his hometown in Uttar Pradesh, Samsuddin's journey weaves personal strength with community-rooted entrepreneurship. He exemplifies how creativity and determination shape life in Dharavi. Amidst talks of redevelopment, Samsuddin advocates for progress without displacement, preserving the soul of the community he calls home.

Satish Dalvi, a second-generation Dharavi resident whose journey from sanitation work to caregiving exposes the layered realities of caste, labor, and survival in Mumbai. As an outspoken activist and rationalist, his quiet rebellion against exploitation and superstition carves space for dignity and resistance in the city.

Shankar Jadhav, a 61-year-old cobbler, defies caste boundaries beneath Samvidhan Square. With calloused hands, a love for books, and quiet resilience, he mends shoes, nurtures a square, and challenges the invisibility imposed by society: one stitch, one flower, one act of dignity at a time.

 The 13th Compound, known for being a hub of informal recycling of plastic and metal, branches into endless veins of tempos overflowing with waste collected from the city, and godowns churning with heavy crushers. Irfan Bhai, a man with 30 years of experience and Ashraf, his son, tell us the intricacies of this age-old business and their future plans.

Policies can be supportive or prohibitive, depending on who they serve. A public policy student tries to understand how marginalised communities navigate urban realities from the lens of the architects and urban planners who work with them. 

Dharavi Koliwada was abuzz with news of the 8 Australians helping to build the Customs House study space for students. From ferrying huge blocks of basalt stone to putting together a teak wood chair, the team from Sullivan Carpentry did it all. 

The Dharavi Koli Jamaat Trust has been entrusted the responsibility to address socio-economic and spatial  challenges in Dharavi for the Koliwada community. The Dharavi Koli Jamaat Trust is a functional example of urban local bodies promoting grass-root level governance with a community centric approach.

Tahir Bhai takes us through his journey of self-exploration, bitter-sweet memories of his Kismat (fate) and being a spect-actor in Dharavi’s emergence as a socio-economic powerhouse.