Make in Dharavi
Authors
This series of interviews portrays the economic life of Dharavi in Mumbai through the activities of its inhabitants.
Make in Dharavi
Authors
The famously productive 'homegrown' neighbourhood in the heart of Mumbai city is full of thousands of artisans, craftspersons and mechanics, working away on their tools and machines in workshops and factories that often double up as homes and dormitories. This series of interviews profiles them in their contexts to provide a composite portrait of Dharavi's economic life. As Patrick Geddes says, the "Place, Live, Work" triad is the foundation of urban life. This seems to be truer of this dynamic and frenzied neighbourhood than others.
Articles in this collection
India and Jugaad: The Design Comes As We Build
India and Jugaad: The Design Comes As We Build
This essay discusses urbz' "The Design Comes As We Build" project which recognizes local builders in homegrown settlements by providing them a space to showcase their design imagination. You can access it here.
Weaving our way through Zari workshops
Weaving our way through Zari workshops
In the third part of this series, we explored the elaborate process that goes into embroidery (locally known as zari work).
The Making of Leather Goods
The Making of Leather Goods
In the second part of this series, we explore two leather workshops near the 90 feet road in Dharavi, to understand where and how all processes in the creation of leather products are carried out.
A day's work at Kumbharwada
A day's work at Kumbharwada
In a new series, we re-explore the homegrown streets of Dharavi in search of local arts and crafts. First in the series- Dharavi's famous Kumbharwada
Spatial dimension of businesses in Dharavi
Spatial dimension of businesses in Dharavi
Dharavi is a prime real estate location due to its closeness to public transport systems, business districts, as well as ecological hotspots. The proximity of living quarters to where individuals work, often from within households, brings both benefits and challenges to households and businesses.
"Without travel and fun, what is the point of all this hard work?"
"Without travel and fun, what is the point of all this hard work?"
Tvisha is a school teacher from Dharavi who talks about the difference in private and public education in Dharavi, and her experience living there.*
"Education made me grow like a tree"
"Education made me grow like a tree"
Madhu, a tuition teacher, speaks about the importance of education and about her everyday life in Dharavi.*
"I studied for 2 years after marriage"
"I studied for 2 years after marriage"
Radha is a passionate tuition teacher, and she is proud of her contribution to the education of many students. She discusses the importance of education in Dharavi.
Kumbharwada - incremental innovation to reduce pollution
Kumbharwada - incremental innovation to reduce pollution
A new series of Make in Dharavi focuses on the neighbourhood of Kumbharwada, famous for its pottery. We look at how the potters respond to the pollution generated by their kilns - and brainstorm with them.
Kumbharwada - a pottery village
Kumbharwada - a pottery village
A new series of Make in Dharavi focuses on the neighbourhood of Kumbharwada, famous for its pottery. Part 1 looks at the history of the area and some of the issues it's facing today.
"My bank account is in the negative".
"My bank account is in the negative".
How garment manufacturer Muzaffar makes in Dharavi. (Make in Dharavi III)
"It isn't about the money".
"It isn't about the money".
How garment manufacturer Aameer makes in Dharavi. (Make in Dharavi II)
"We have no interaction with the government".
"We have no interaction with the government".
How garment maker Samit makes in Dharavi. (Make in Dharavi I)