Dharavi Papadwali: Domestic Violence and Survivall
Director: Richa Hushing
Duration: 00:26:07; Aspect Ratio: 1.333:1; Hue: 336.494; Saturation: 0.145; Lightness: 0.326; Volume: 0.171; Cuts per Minute: 13.667; Words per Minute: 96.167
Summary: Dharavi is a slum popularly termed as the Asia’s biggest slum. Known to be one of the densest and most layered human settlements in the world, the origin of Dharavi can be traced back to mid 20th century, at the height of the industrialization in the region. Dharavi was originally located at the northern periphery of Bombay, but with boundaries of this ever-growing city constantly extending on all sides it has come to occupy prime location today. Today, according to official records, Dharavi is marked as an area spread over 175 hectares, where as many as 18,000 people crowd into a single acre. But considering the large presence of unofficial/illegal migration influx, the real number of people living in Dharavi is likely to be much more. Home to approximately one million people, 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 ‘redeveloped’ to keep in pace with the economic globalization that is sweeping the city.
This interview is of This interview is of Subhadra Sonawane, who from a very young age has been living in Dharavi. Her painful life is an example of survival of a woman in a male dominated world. Subhadra was abandoned by the husband she worked as domestic help and did other menial labour work to survive. Just when her life seemed to be getting better her 20 year old son died and her house got burned. She is all alone in the world and the thought of the future makes her panic. Hers is just one case among many such stories of survival in Dharavi.
This interview is part of our Dharavi documentation project. We hope to evolve a comprehensive documentation and dissemination of the spaces and lives of Dharavi residents.
Subhadra Sonawane (S): I got married… when… at the age of 14. My son was born when I was 16 years old. After he was born there used to be fights with my sister-in-law. We used to abuse each other, also fist cuff sometimes.
The clip starts with random shots of children in the lanes of BMC chawls. The children stare blankly at the camera, the girls wearing pink dresses coordinates well with the bright pink wall.
A mid shot of Subhadra, who is sitting at the edge, of the entrance of the house. The camera is on the other side, constant passing of the people does not disturb the intimate conversation, where the woman reveals the pain of her life. The edge on which she sits mirrors the edginess and volatility of her life. It also reflects her lack of belonging.
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Patriarchy which exits in all social strata makes women very vulnerable, where after a certain age she can not demand from her parents like she could have as a child. In the husband's house also she has to constantly prove herself in various capacities to gain respect. On top if a woman is abandoned by the husband or becomes a widow, she faces the worst sort of rejection from the society.
Subhadra has gone through all of this and more. An unloving abusive husband gives a chance to his family to be threatening towards the woman. Her position in the family reduces to just a mere workers who has to take care of everyone's happiness in return of further abuse. Though the woman works the whole day for the members of the family, she is not considered as a contributor to the family. Her work is not considered constructive.
The outside work available to women is also very limited, there is little scope of work for women in factories, thus they have to resort to an unorganized set up where they work as daily wage workers with no rights, or union backing them.
S: My son was born… but in the hospital neither my husband came nor did my mother-in-law come to see me. Then when I came home my mother-in-law and sister-in-law did not give me food or drink, made me work all the time. So I used to talk back. Because I talked back his sister beat me. I asked him – why does your sister raise hand on me? He said – my sister beat you because you don't wash her clothes. I said you feed me. So what went wrong if I didn't wash her clothes… my child was crying that time. They beat me again. So I came to my parents'. My mother said – go and complaint to the police. But do not come to my house – I have two sons and a husband. So I went to the police station. They said- go and sort it out mutually. So I went back. They said why you went to the police station. We shall burn you. I went to back to my mother's house. She said – don't come to my house. If your sister-in-law has said all these you go back to the police station. I went to the police station and they arrested the two of them. Then I came to my mother's place with my child. He was 6 months old. So I came here and what I did… these people used to roll papad… they take people's names… so told them that I too want to enroll for papad rolling. I went to Charni Road carrying my child. And enrolled my name and came back with the batter. Thus I raised my child, sent him to school… by rolling papad, doing domestic works… anybody said carry this load and I will give you Rs.5… I did that with the child on my lap. I would tie the child on my back and carry the load… I clean people's toilet too… I raised my son. I made him study till 10th standard, took bank loan and made home near the creek. It was marshland… I brought stones, sands and made it stable… like this. Put some asbestos, some plastic… my son has grown up and he started working… I did all this for him.
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Rajawali Nagar, Mumbai
S: We were living in Rajawali nagar. Once when my son's results came out he told me that he had failed. I told him that I have struggled so much for you, cleaned other people's toilet, washed their utensils and you have failed. I cried a lot. Later he told me he was lying and he had passed. Then he went to ninth standard, and I made papad and worked in other's houses.
By saving my earning I made some money. Then I gave money to someone and asked him to get my son a job in railway. He started working there I started thinking about his marriage. I went to see a girl, and fixed the engagement on 16th April and marriage on 20th. But my son fell from the train while working on 15th.
I had bought lot of things for his marriage, but after the accident everything changed. On 15th he fell at around 4 AM in the morning, I went to see him in the hospital and I felt that he would not survive and he died.
My 20 year old son died he was my only support. I have never had support from my father, mother. You must have seen an alcoholic here, he is my brother and I am staying with him in his house. And you can ask anybody around. It is the neighbours who give me food to eat; I have to ask them for it. I have good relationship with people around and that is why they help me. I have nothing left in life my 20 year old son is dead. My papad work has also stopped one woman took away all my material.
Richa (R): How can the business just stop like that?
Subhadra has been rejected from her husband's and mother's house. Now she has found shelter in her brother's house, she is aware that it is not because of the love that the brother feels but due to the compulsion from the society. Remembering the past does not bring good feelings to her, she has lost everything she had. She talks about the son, for whom she had borne so much trouble. And the pain she went through after his death. Everything she had hoped for was coming true her son started working, they had a house of their own and he was also about to get married, but his death got her back ,face to face with the uncertainty of life.
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Lijjat papad company started in 1959 and it's registered as co-operative society of women. The company gives out work to women who take the batter from the company and gives them ready papad. They get paid for the kilos of papad that they make. Lots of women, who earlier could not go out and work, were contributing to the family income by making papad at home. Due to the storage of space lot of women starting drying the papad outside on the road and in Dharavi, women were drying them next to the creek which has turned into sewage. People complained to the company about the unhygienic conditions in which the papads were made. And the company stopped giving batter to these women, thus taking away their only source of income.
With no support from family and a small child to take care, Subhadra did many odd jobs to get the two of them by. From domestic help, to labour work and making papad. She however was quite successful with what she did as she managed to save money and buy a place for their house, a dream that many men are unable to fulfill in this city.
S: We all use to work very close to the sewage, one woman said we can not work here and she took away all the material. I told her I do not have a house where else will I work. Those people also stopped the supply of my batter. My 20 year old son died, my house caught fire. You know there was a fire at Rajawali nagar. Because of the fire I lost all my belongings, no clothes, no utensils. I lost everything. I lost my household.
The neighbours helped me they got me clothes, food. I have no support. My husband is missing, my mother-in-law is dead and my sister-in-law has run away with someone, I don't know where she is. I have no support from anywhere. I am able to eat because I earn, but when I get old who will look after me. I am on my own. I have two brothers, one committed suicide after drinking and one is alcoholic. My father is old but he still works. You tell me whom do I fall back on.
R: How did you make your house?
S: I had worked a lot for it. I made papad, worked as domestic helper. In the madrasi area I used to fill water for them. Three tanks in a day and they used to give 100 rupees in a month.
I collected every penny and saved it in the bank. I saved 7000 rupees and took a place near the creek. I used to collect stones from surrounding place to make that house. I worked very hard to make that house. I have lived such bad days. You know where rajawali nagar is?
R: How did you construct the house, tell about that.
S: I'll tell you how I made that house. I saved every penny. One woman came to sell her house and I asked her to help me get a house near creek. She asked me why, so I told her that I can not pay the rent of the house I am living in, it is 700-800 rupees, it does not suit me. She told me there is one piece of land for 6000. I saved money by doing all odd jobs. If anyone would give me food, I would eat. I did not cook at home. I did not have a house, so I used to take my son along with me for work. I gave the money I had saved and bought that place near the creek. Since my son's marriage was nearing I made half of the house of brick and the rest of jute bag. Now my son has died, my house has burned and my whole life has ruined.
Rajawali Nagar, Mumbai
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R: How did the papad business stop?
S: I used to make papad near the sewage, because of the wind my papads used to fall in the gutter. So one madam came and she told us not to make papad here. I told her that I do not have a house where else will I make them. There is also nice sunshine here. But she did not listen and took away all my material, stopped my supply. It has been six years now, my son also died six years ago.
My son was very good looking and fair.
My parents did not have much sense. When my husband left me, they never offered to take care of my son and thought about getting me married again. Any other parents would have offered to send the son to a boarding school and get the daughter remarried.
R: So what did you do?
S: Then what, I stayed back here. I earn on my own and ate from my money.
R: What do you do now?
S: I worked in other's houses; wash their clothes, their utensils. I do whatever is asked for. I ask people for tea, food. My brother drinks a lot and that is why I do not stay long at home. I stay outside you can ask anyone.
R: Why don't you start making papad again?
S: They have stopped giving me batter. My story is very big, what do I tell you. I asked Sanjay Gandhi to help me with money he asked for my husband's death certificate. Where will I get the death certificate from, I do not know where he is. He disappeared before the riots. I have been searching for him since then but have not found him.
Government has so many programs for people, but why have they not helped me? Government gives so much salary to big people but they do not help us. What will happen to us when we poor people will get old? Rich people get more and more salary, but do we have any job, any house. What will we eat when we get old?
Look at the size of the house this is my brother's house. His three children, his wife, our parents and I live here. How will so many people live in such a small house? I am a woman I can not live outside. People around say things if I go out. Government has not helped us at all.
Women who make and dry their papads outside do it due to the shortage of space and for ample sunlight for drying. The hygienic condition of any factory can be hidden in the walls, but that does not guarantee it being any better.
Subhadra holds her parents somewhat responsible for her condition today, after all women are not supposed to make their life's decision on their own. After her husband's disappearance she had nowhere to go, poor parents could also not support her and thus she was left on her own with the child. She did everything possible to make ends meet. A woman who is financially independent also feels the need of a man, the privileges that a married woman can claim makes many struggle to keep their marriage.
She feels animosity towards the government. The widening gap between rich and poor, where rich seem to be getting more benefits; better education, jobs, salaries. The poor are ignored at each level which makes them much more vulnerable.
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S: What do I tell you about my life, it is very sad. People around see a woman and they get after you. That is why I have this (mangalsutra) around my neck. Otherwise people doubt. If I take it out then all men will get after me. I do not have anything left accept this from my husband. This mangalsutra has a lot of value. If I do not wear it people will say she has no one, let's exploit her. You must have seen all these things in the TV.
I have been crying over all this for 7-8 years, the tears have also stopped coming. I also have some problem in my eyes, see. I lost my young son. I would have had grandchildren now, if my son was alive.
R: What do you think about the building that government is making here?
S: Whoever gets the house will think about it. This house belongs to my brother if he decides to throw me out I will not be able to do anything. I will have to leave. I used to be healthy before, I used to eat 2-3 chappatis. Look at me now anybody can offer food, but in real times of trouble no one helps. God should have not done this I have no support, at least my son should have still been alive.
Subhadra's attachment to the mangalsutra (a black bead necklace, a sign of married woman) is not emotional it is used more as a safety tool. Nowhere in the interview does she mention the need have her husband back, but the thought of removing the signs of marriage does not seem practical to her. Irrespective of her age, she is a single woman with no support and thus quite susceptible.
Unlike many people in Dharavi who are concerned about the redevelopment plan, Subhadra is not bothered. She has lost everything she had and is not sure how long can she depend on her brother to support her. Her brother is an alcoholic, there are 6 more people living in the house that he supports. There is a huge possibility that the doors of the last resort would be soon shut for her.
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Dharavi is up for a dramatic change, old chawls being replaced by new high rise buildings, more people entering Dharavi due to the expected real estate boom, open community spaces going in for redevelopment. The lives of Dharavi residents would not remain the same.
In all this speculations, Subhadra seems really unaffected. Probably she would have also joined in with others if she had a family, a house. But currently she has her own life to worry about. She is thankful to her neighbours who have helped her out in past, but she is aware that she can not depend on them forever.
R: Do you have any problem in Dharavi?
S: (nods no in reply) What area are you talking about?
R: About this area of Dharavi.
X: I have no problem here, all these people are good and they look after me. I have no problem here I am troubled by my own life. When I get old, who will look after me? I keep thinking about it. Rich people send their children to ashrams, I am on my own. I do not have any children I don't have my mother too, so that I can go to her. I was crying in the park once I was very upset, but no one came to me.
Once I had chicken pox, I could not even move. I used to be so embarrassed going to toilet, all grown up children from here used to take me. If I had my own son he would have taken me. I used to feel very bad.
You can ask anyone in Dharavi for Subhadra bai Sonauwane's story, they will tell you everything. I do not like fighting and arguing with people. If anyone says anything rude to me, I feel very bad.
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R: What do you do now?
S: I work as domestic helper and also at anganwadi.
R: What is an anganwadi?
S: It's a care house for small children, and I work as a caretaker.
R: Can you take me there?
S: I will not go today we have 2-3 days off. I'll go on Tuesday or Wednesday.
You only tell me, what the government has done for us. The person who earns 15,000 gets 17,000 now. People who do not have house, if they also get income, is it wrong? I am not the only one there must be so many who need money.
I went to Mantralaya, I asked Bharti madam there to help me. But she also asked for my husband's certificate. He has disappeared where do I get his certificate from?
Off camera Woman: What is happening here?
S: Nothing, they are just shooting.
R: We are students and we have come to shoot Dharavi women. We met her outside.
S: Irkini told them about me, so I am telling them my story.
I have been in Dharavi for so long, I have not married again. After my marriage I came here. Since then my husband is missing.
R: Did you both separate during riots?
S: No, he has been missing before that. We tried searching him, but could not.
The government is known for its illogical reasoning. The demand of a death certificate is just one of the examples. Does a woman have to be a widow to ask for help, can she not be in need due to any other reason? But of course the government just blindly follows the procedure without looking at a problem practically. For Subhadra it does not matter if the husband is dead, what matters is that she has struggled all these years on her own and soon with age, a time will come when she will not be able to earn for herself. Where will she go? Who will look after her? Answers to which no one knows.
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R: Will you take me to anganwadi?
S: Yes I will.
R: Do you like working there?
S: Yes I like working for small kids. It gives me lot of pleasure. These kids call us mummy, ayi, bai. We teach them and also play with them. Some kids love cuddling us, so time just passes with them.
Government has never helped me. Only when my house got burned at Rajawali nagar, they gave me 500 rupees and a slip.
From age of 14 years I have been working, I even worked after my marriage. I raised my son and then he died I have nothing left. I keep telling god to give me death, every night before sleeping I pray to god to kill me before morning and when I get up, I pray that I should die during the day.
I also pray to god to not let anyone pray for their own death. I do not eat I only drink tea. My last meal was yesterday afternoon, after that I have had just two cups of tea.
Subhadra has found happiness by working in the anganwadi (a crèche for small children). With fondness she says that small children call them mother and hug them all the time, she likes spending time with them. But the little happiness does not make her forget about the pain in her life. She confesses of constantly wishing for death, since she has nothing to look forward to in life.
With no one from the family to fall back on, she can not even expect any help from government. The hard work she put in earning that money and the numbers of nights she and her child slept on an empty stomach, she put it all in one house. A house that she had made with 6000 rupees saved over a number of years was burned to ashes, and the government gave her a compensation of 500 rupees.
Rajawali Nagar, Mumbai
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R: Where was your house?
S: It was in Rajiv Gandhi nagar.
R: Where?
S: Near the T-junction there is a yellow building, near that.
R: When did your house burn?
S: It has been 5 years.
R: Tell me what did the government do and how did it burn?
S: I do not know how it happened. I came from my home to my mother's place to make papad. If I do not work, what will I eat? Then someone told me at 9 o'clock that the area has caught fire. All the houses burned down.
R: Did the government help?
S: They did not help, they only gave 500 rupees. Look at my eyes, since my son died I have been crying and only when I die will I stop crying.
Rajawali Nagar
Rajiv Gandhi nagar, Mumbai
The government has always turned cold shoulders towards poor people, who lack a voice in the society. It can keep on exploiting them, since no one would stand for them. They can get away with giving inadequate compensation, by not listening to their pleas and also decide to take away their homes of generations for their own benefit.
Subhadra again expresses her wish to die, she has survived all these years, but probably she lacks the courage to even think about future.
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