arunshanbhag: Around Kalbadevi, Mumbai

Arun Shanbhag (

arunshanbhag) wrote,
@ 2005-01-09 14:40:00

Around Kalbadevi, Mumbai

In Mumbai, I am always reminded of how little the people have, how much they crave work opportunities and when they do find opportunities, how hard they work. No wonder then, they excel in everything once they arrive in the 'land of opportunity.'

In september, I was running an errand in Kalbadevi. As I waited, I tried to capture images of laborers pulling/pushing their "haath-gaadis" (hand carts) with heavy loads. Then as I took a cab along Kalbadevi Rd to the the Strand Book Stall near VT, I kept clicking. The cab provided a sanctuary to capture moments which I probably could not on foot. Fascinating I say, only because you wouldn't see any of this in the US; but also highlights the hard work and resilience of our people.

Seeing this I also wonder, how can we, with access to so much technological innovations and entrepreneurship, make their life a little easier, better, simpler? Can we use technology to make their carts a little lighter, more sturdier, more easier to pull or push? I don't think selling them more shampoo, or DVD players or Nike brand shoes helps in any way!

The Indian version of 'Take you kid to work' Day - Everyday!

There are always more loads to haul!

As my cab waited at a light, here is what I saw.

As my cab pulled away, my heart sank when I noticed this older gentleman pulling the heavy load; while I relaxed in the comfort of the cab and shot pics!

If you can't pull or push it, carry it on your head! Note: India has a high incidence of neck arthritis. Unheard of in developed countries!

So how hard did you work today?

x-posted to

mumbai and

indiaphotoalbum

(34 comments) - (Post a new comment)

	warmscars 2005-01-09 07:59 pm UTC (link)
	fascinating. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	arunshanbhag 2005-01-09 09:45 pm UTC (link)
	its a very different world there: so much culture, luxury and poverty juxtaposed. People still make a living; and make ends meet. :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	hariputtar 2005-01-10 01:51 am UTC (link)
	wonderful. :) brought me back to reality dude. these pics helped me make some big decisions. thanks. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	arunshanbhag 2005-01-10 02:30 am UTC (link)
	when i go through my pics I realize how fortunate I am. Like you, it has helped me make a lot of decisions. Hope things work out well for you! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	hellcatlove 2005-01-10 03:10 am UTC (link)
	gorgeous photos, as always. To the last caption my mom said, "wanna bet?" (jokingly) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	arunshanbhag 2005-01-11 02:59 pm UTC (link)
	omg! your mom reads this? I better be more careful of what I write! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	hellcatlove 2005-01-12 05:58 am UTC (link)
	no, no. I was showing her the photos (Reply to this) (Parent)

	i dream of mumbai fovia 2005-01-10 04:20 am UTC (link)
	and someday i'll see it for myself. until then -- keep the pics coming! :D (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: i dream of mumbai arunshanbhag 2005-01-11 03:00 pm UTC (link)
	thanks, ... so when you do go, you will have atleast seen pics of just about everything :-) (Reply to this) (Parent)

shri
2005-01-10 03:26 pm UTC (link)

Whenever I feel like complaining to God about things in my life that are not going the way I want to, I take a look around me, at life on the street, and looking at the homeless kids on the streets, the beggars, people like in the photograhs above, and I am suddenly reminded, that I should be grateful, that I am alive, healthy, that I don't have to worry about where my next meal comes from, and that I have a roof over my head, and a warm bed to sleep in at night.

As for the people in your pics, I admire them. Their grit their determination, their whole outlook on life. Thanks, for posting those pics! :)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	arunshanbhag 2005-01-11 03:03 pm UTC (link)
	you have very nicely conveyed in words what I go through, when I travel in india and also when I see compile these posts. Have a great time, Shri (Reply to this) (Parent)

	Ai Dil... sat_chit_anand 2005-01-12 10:45 pm UTC (link)
	Hain Mushkil Jeena Yahaan ...Jaraa Hutke Jaraa Buchke Yeh Hain Bambai Meri Jaan... (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Ai Dil... arunshanbhag 2005-01-13 02:56 pm UTC (link)
	Beautifully said! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	lauradelatour 2005-01-13 08:53 pm UTC (link)
	What does that mean? (I will definitely make Hindi my third or fourth language.) (Reply to this) (Thread)

arunshanbhag
2005-01-14 03:03 am UTC (link)

Actually lyrics of a Hindi movie, C.I.D. ca 1956 *ing Devanand and Waheeda Rehman

mediocre attempt at translation (nice jingle though)
Aye dil hai mushkil jeena yahan
O dear, it's difficult to live here

Zara hat ke zara bach ke, yeh hai Bombay meri jaan
push a little here, scrap a little there, this is bombay, my dear

continues ...
Kahin building kahin traame, kahin motor kahin mill
buildings here, trams here, motors and mills

Milta hai yahan sab kuchh ik milta nahin dil
here I can find whatever I want, except an heart to love

push a little here, scrap a little there, this is bombay, my dear

very apt, wouldn't you say?
:)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	lauradelatour 2005-01-21 03:27 pm UTC (link)
	That sounds beautiful! one day I will see that movie. ~L (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	arunshanbhag 2005-01-23 12:30 am UTC (link)
	just noticed that netflix carries this movie. caution: its a 1956 movie and it has no subtitles :-( best to probably wait for a few more years and let them put the subtitles on (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	lauradelatour 2005-01-23 06:27 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks for letting me know. :-) (Reply to this) (Parent)

lauradelatour
2005-01-13 08:57 pm UTC (link)

When first I saw the picture of the young boy, I laughed, because he looked cute, but then I saw what you really meant looking at their faces, I frowned. It is really bad. Looking at them really does make me want to challenge myself more in life as they do to. I am glad that you showed this to me. I am at awe for people like this. I see men working on this huge tall structure everyday rain or shine or ice cold or dieing of heat and I tend to think to myself how they do this. It is purely amazing. What I don't like though is that I tend to stare not in a bad way, but just admiration. Is that bad to stare?

~Laura~

(Reply to this) (Thread)

arunshanbhag
2005-01-14 03:15 am UTC (link)

In the pic with the boy on the cart, you will notice the folded blue tarpaulin on the cart as well - indicates to me that they are going someplace to pick-up a load (and cover it with the tarp). Thus the kid is probably going to be helping push the cart back.

I observe (stare) exactly as you stated, with awe and sadness and with a eagerness to see how events unfold. I also stare hard hoping to burn the image in my memory - just so I can remember it when I need to. Photo-journalism helps - relooking at the pics transports me back to the place and time and I seem to get the same feeling i had then - possibly even more intensely! Thats good! and as you said - makes me want to challenge myself more!

A few post ago in "Bombay Crossing" I had posted a pic of a handicapped person crawling on the street - I thought hard right when I took the pic and more so when I was preparing the post. Here was a gentleman obviously making do with what little he had, and for me it was a "photo" to 'entertain' others? that was tough.

Then, as in this, I hoped to convey the capacity for hardwork and the dignity these laborers possess. And if their lives provide us an inspiration to do better - So be it!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

lauradelatour
2005-01-18 03:47 pm UTC (link)

Entertain? Is that the word? I always thought you were showing others how different parts of the world live and how even in America the poor survive in this way. I am not sure most people would want to see this. I think its more to gain knowledge and understanding. I guess with that could come entertainment. That is interesting to think about it in that way. I suppose I am also being entertained by the inspiration of it.

I didn't notice that before-the tarpaulin. I wonder how long he does this in a day or how much. What a kid!!

~Laura~

(Reply to this) (Parent)

surendra
2005-01-14 05:48 am UTC (link)

Nice pictures. Yes everytime I visit India I feel sad at some sights around me, but the joy I see in the eyes and the way in which they make things work amazes me a lot. Everytime I face a tough situation I go back to my photo-journalism (as you said) which I call as photo-memory and start from there in resolving the issue on hand. I am like you everytime I go anywhere my camera keeps continously clicking and then when I go through sorting the images and putting words to them, the memories just keep unfolding right in front of my eyes. Thats the power of hardwork and dignity of labor that I have seen in India that makes me feel happy.

BTW added you as a friend, I hope you don't mind?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	arunshanbhag 2005-01-14 02:17 pm UTC (link)
	thank you for your kind words of inspiration. you also conveyed the whole experience beautifully! Looking forward to seeing some of your photo-memory posts. * added you back. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	surendra 2005-01-14 02:22 pm UTC (link)
	Sure will post them as and when I get some inspiration to write :-) (Reply to this) (Parent)

shenoy
2005-01-17 10:10 pm UTC (link)

Hi arun,
I opened an account for myself so that could avoid writing in as anonymous :-) haven't been writing much in my journal... but have been reading regularly, especially the ones you have been posting.
Thanks for the nice article and pictures... got reminded of the saying "I cried that I had no shoes until I saw a man with no legs". I'd written an article when I was in my 11th, which is similar to this one. I'll enter it into my journal sometime.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	arunshanbhag 2005-01-18 02:55 pm UTC (link)
	welcome. I think you will definitely enjoy this experience. Particularly explore the various featuers of LJ: Friends, for eg. btw, have be met before? yeah, I need such reminders in my daily life, to be thankful for all that we have and ... improve on them :) (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	shenoy 2005-01-18 05:18 pm UTC (link)
	Yup! I am the biomedical Eng from Manipal and was among the students who attended your talk. I wrote to you a couple times... have been throughly enjoying all your posts! (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

	arunshanbhag 2005-01-18 05:49 pm UTC (link)
	its the old age! ;-) still at the Lucas center? How did the GREs go? (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

shenoy
2005-01-18 06:15 pm UTC (link)

:-) Yeah.. Still at Lucas Center. My Prof has been very kind to me. Shez given me an opportunity to audit this course "Introduction to imaging and image based human anatomy" which is being co-taught by Dr Gary Gold and her. The imaging physics is at a very basic level but then I am learning a lot in the image based anatomy side... we are being shown loads of radiographs, CT, MRI images and movies every class... so now I know I will probably never mistake a transverse section of brain to that of lungs or abdomen :-)
I did not do as well as i hoped to, in GRE. I'm pretty much done with my applications. I'm now waiting to hear from all the schools and wondering if I should also think of other options...

(Reply to this) (Parent)

on9thheaven
2005-01-18 11:57 pm UTC (link)

hey arun, i did indeed see these pics earlier. i didn't want to comment just because...

i can definitely relate to what you feel when you see such people - esp. in the heat in bby. agree with you that i feel fortunate, very fortunate.

these pics totally reminded me also of P.M.Road, Fountain area, isn't it ? oh gosh it seems like another lifetime that i've been "home" to india...

ok ok, i promise i won't feel nostalgic and get upset...

but promise me one thing - you must also post pics of the other life in bby - the hip crowds and the mcdonald's that most people are not aware exist in india. everyone almost always seems to think of india as elephants walking on the road, snakes in the house, etc. ! next time you go ( or if i do ) then i am going to get pics of all the big stores, etc. too... that is india too. isn't it ?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	arunshanbhag 2005-01-19 02:34 pm UTC (link)
	Didn't mean to focus on the poverty side of india, but these images were very inspirational to me. Ofcourse, there are fascinating rich aspects of india. I was particularly taken-in by the new multiplexes in mumbai, INOX. Superb granite walls and fancy detailing! Will post pics after a continuing series of the above. - whenever I get the time. :-( (Reply to this) (Parent)

	diffdrummer 2005-01-22 12:58 am UTC (link)
	Arun, unrelated to this post, saw audio-book charcha at locks's post today, just thought I'd let you know I finished the Maya Angelou cd you had sent me - 'twas real good and thanks :) Yeah it took me so loong ;-p (Reply to this) (Thread)

	arunshanbhag 2005-01-24 05:02 pm UTC (link)
	thanks dd. glad you liked it. It is a joy to hear Maya Angelou narrate the book herself. I have heard her speak in person and it is a superlative experience. A little bit of it does come out in her narration as well. Particularly the last five minutes of the book. I will see if she has other narrations :-) (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(Deleted post)

	Re: I cried for shoes until I saw the man with no feet... arunshanbhag 2005-01-25 09:35 pm UTC (link)
	Anonymous comments will be deleted at my discretion. Please register and/or log-in. Otherwise, you need to leave your e-mail address and other contact details. (Reply to this) (Parent)

(34 comments) - (Post a new comment)

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