Here I have tried to showcase 3 different perspectives of the world famous slum Dharavi.
Dharavi is an area in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, considered to be one of Asia's largest slums. Dharavi has an area of just over 2.1 square kilometres and a population of about 1,000,000. With a population density of over 277,136/km, Dharavi is one of the most densely populated areas in the world
POSTER 1
DHARAVI: Business and Economy
In addition to the traditional pottery and textile industries in Dharavi, there is an increasingly large recycling industry, processing recyclable waste from other parts of Mumbai. Recycling in Dharavi is reported to employ approximately 250,000 people. While recycling is a major industry in the neighbourhood, it is also reported to be a source of heavy pollution in the area. Used leather/leather products are also recycled here. The district has an estimated 5,000 businesses and 15,000 single-room factories. Two major suburban railways feed into Dharavi, making it an important commuting station for people in the area going to and from work.
Dharavi exports goods around the world. Often these consist of various leather products, jewellery, various accessories, and textiles. Markets for Dharavi's goods include stores in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. The total (and largely informal economy) turnover is estimated to be between US$500 million, and US$650 million per year, to over US$1 billion per year. The per capita income of the residents, depending on estimated population range of 300,000 to about 1 million, ranges between US$500 and US$2,000 per year.
POSTER 2
DHARAVI: Hip-Hop Culture
Hip-hop culture has been brewing in the slums of Mumbai, especially Dharavi, for a decade. The hip-hop artists in particular present an account of everyday life as well as the struggles of the Dharavi neighbourhoods through their art. Many youngsters in Dharavi are embracing hip-hop and narrating their story in their linguistic dialects. This phenomenon exemplifies globalisation at the grassroots focussing on the detailed exploration of the material, sensory, and emotional dimensions of the city.
There are several hip-hop crews in Dharavi, and some of them like 7 Bantaiz, and SlumGods have achieved success in India’s independent rap music and breakdance scene. The hip-hop crews and artists in Dharavi have developed a sense of solidarity among themselves which result in collaborations like the Dharavi United and The Dharavi Dream Project (TDDP). Also called the After School of Hip-hop because of its evening classes, TDDP has been using a primary school’s space to teach hip-hop to the coming generation of Dharavi artists. It currently has 80 students learning all five elements of hip-hop: rap, graffiti, DJ, graffiti, and beatboxing.
POSTER 3
DHARAVI: Leather Industry
Asia's largest slum area Dharavi is well-known for its flourishing leather industry. In fact, leather goods made in Dharavi are exported worldwide. From leather shoes to bags to belts, you name it and they are all available here! but of course, you need to bargain to receive your best bet on your loved item.Dharavi’s leather market is one of the biggest contributors to the slum's famed informal economy that supports thousands of families. The total estimated size of Dharavi’s economy – which, apart from leather, includes pottery, textile and waste recycling – is close to Rs 6,000 crore a year.
