The other in Mumbai Metropolis

Key Words: The Other, The Fifth World India, Development

The Other in Mumbai-1

The Other:   It has been used in social science to understand the processes by which societies and groups exclude 'Others' whom they want to subordinate or who do not fit into their society. (Read More >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Other)

The Other in Mumbai-2

The Fifth World India of the displaced and marginalized, (by the development projects, riots, floods, joblessness, cyclones, droughts…) from their kin, community and homestead…

The Other in Mumbai-3

They move in search of work for sustenance; they depend upon self reliance, self-help.

The Other in Mumbai-4

On my way to public library I notice them happy and content, though they don’t have even a shelter, leave aside other possessions. The Flowers are their shelter!

The Other in Mumbai-5

Their children acquire life supporting skills from their parents. They also become their helping hands and support the family.

The Other in Mumbai-6

Two generations have come of age on the pavements of Mumbai since the Independence. We have heard that during Vietnam War entire generation was born. grew up and took up guns to fight the war.
In India there is war going on the Other without a Bang.

The Other in Mumbai-7

Metropolis of Mumbai – the Great Parasite – has left its footprint on the regions far and wide; now the displaced and marginalized come to the threshold of Mumbai.

Would there ever be Payback time for Mumbai and other mega-cities?

(When I am posting this the family in the photographs has moved somewhere else.)


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© Remigius de Souza. All rights reserved.

Street Artist in Mumbai

Life and Survival in Mumbai 

Street Artist in Mumbai

He is deaf, mute and disabled. He is literate in Marathi, conveys in brief writing and in gestures.

The street is his canvas, a chalk his medium. He paints murals appropriate to scale of street, always in seating posture, obviously.
His street art also falls in the category of ancient ritual as Land Art of Rangoli / Alpana / Kolam practice by Indian women householders.

Life and Survival in Mumbai

 
Ganesha is his Idol and subject, appears in various attires of great people. Here Shivaji personified as Ganesha. This, of course, is in tune with culture in Maharashtra.

He has tremendous ‘sense of scale’ and ‘economy of means’, which even the most learned & the highly placed elite – politicians, experts, professionals etc. – may miss in their work & lifestyle.

I cannot guess his age; it seems he has arrested aging by constructive creativity.

Some benevolent institution may have given him a carriage for conveyance. There his rehabilitation comes to an end.

He shows me his album, many photographs of his paintings, and newspaper cuttings: he is a celebrity in his own right.

Indeed for many well known artists, honorarium amount they receive is never enough; whatever this person receives is never less. Government supports authors and other artists, however, this street artist may not appear in their lists; there many, too many, like him in India.

The Artist, his Land Art and Belongings in Mumbai

 
While parting, I simply salute him.
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Life is larger than all Arts, Sciences, Religions, Philosophies, trade, techs, States ... through times and places. ― Remigius de Souza

21/02/2013

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© Remigius de Souza. All rights reserved.