The Basket Weavers Of Bandra Reclamation

The Basket Weavers Of Bandra Reclamation, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

Nomadic tribal the women men children of this quintessential community are evenly scattered between Bandra Reclamation ,,a few under the bridge on SV Road on a traffic island near the Mithi River , further near Mahim causeway .. the rest predominantly at Mori Road Mahim close to Mahim station.

They live on the roads pavements illegally , perhaps paying hafta to the local goons and the authority rogues ..their temporary dwellings are well grounded , and they proliferate , bringing in relatives and new kids , to meet the demand of baskets in Mumbai.

I have only shot them when I pass them either through a bus window or through a cab.. they dont mix mingle with the locals having their own intrinsic dialect and tribal uniqueness individuality..they are not photogenic , shabbily dressed , but the work they do has photographic symmetry ..

They are mostly found in the Western suburbs..the women work harder , with the men weaving these baskets the kids do odd jobs or beg at the traffic signals bringing in good added income.. the kids dont go to schools and this tribal people are very backward to say the least.