Dharavi Livelihood Documentation Project

Dharavi, slated to be one of the largest slum in Asia, is home for approximately 1 million people. As a microcosm of contemporary urban phenomena of the developing countries, Dharavi populace includes diverse language groups, religious communities and economic units. Most of the citizens of Dharavi are urban artisans, functioning out of the outer space of their one-storey shanties. This seamlessness in working and living space, over the decades, has resulted in high number of female wage earners.

Currently, Dharavi is in the eye of a storm as the prime land that it occupies needs to be 're-developed' to keep in pace with the economic globalization that is sweeping the city. We have started video documenting the livelihood trends in Dharavi, women’s role and status in the local economy and the impact of homogenizing development policy on Dharavi. The collected video footage is regularly uploaded on PAD.MA for the purpose of campaign, information dissemination and research study.