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In the 15 chapters of this book, a diverse group of
writers explores the unique structure of the chawl, all
the while considering a complicated and interwoven set
of themes and questions. While many of these
questions remain unanswered, we struggle with them
because, at their heart, they are the questions of
Mumbai itself. With vacant land being non-existent, the
demolition of the chawls is going to redefine the skyline
of south and central Mumbai. The chawls make up
around 16,000 structures, located in the heart of
Mumbai. Yet, for many of us these structures are
unfamiliar, as this city of extremes is often understood
through only its slums and its mansions. In this book
we have tried to trace the past, present and future of the
city, as told through and within the chawl. These
conversations are meandering and circular, at times
overlapping and repetitive. Like a walk through the
chawl neighbourhoods themselves, each chapter
leaves the impression, `Haven`t I walked down this
lane before?` This is both intentional and unavoidable.
How is the chawl defined? What makes it unique
among the various building typologies located
throughout the city? How have cultural formations
emerged through the constraints imposed by such
limited living space? These are not easy questions to
answer, but this multi-genre book, with the help of an
assemblage of visuals from floor plans, photographs
and drawings to screenplay and cinematic
representations attempts to consider the ways in which
the chawl emerges as a distinct symbol of the city of
Mumbai, holding not only the history of the city`s
transformation but also its unique social identity.
ISBN - 9788188861125
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Pages : 176
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