Challenge

Mumbai’s Koli communities, original stewards of the city’s coastal fabric, are witnessing an existential crisis — they are losing their traditional ways of living and livelihood of sustainable fishing due to the deteriorating coastal ecology caused by rapid urbanisation and lack of political representation.

PASI in Action

Placemaking Initiative

Ministry of Mumbai’s Magic (MMM), in collaboration with Bombay61 Studio, Bombay61 Studio, led participatory placemaking interventions in Versova Koliwada, revitalising the Bhandari community well, which was a site of worship, and Mandvi-Gully, the street that this traditional village with the urban population of Madh. Integrating urban design with street art, local Koli artists—Sairaj Shigwan, Nilesh Dhakle, and Rujvi Sankpal—reimagined these spaces, reconnecting the community to their heritage. The artworks celebrated Koli culture, depicting local figures, historic markets, and vibrant traditions like Ganpati Visarjan.

As artist Sairaj Shigwan shared, the community now see themselves in the murals, recognising their identity in the art.

Through the Eyes of the Kolis (Digital Photoexhibition in 2021) and Samvadh Khadicha (2022)

Through the Eyes of the Kolis is a digital archival photo exhibition curated with photographs crowdsourced from the local community. Samvadh Khadicha, a four-day site-specific cultural festival curated within the Versova Koliwada neighbourhood, invited the public to immerse in the unique relationship between the Koli and Warli communities and the coastal ecosystems of Mumbai through a creative visualisation of New Catch in Town, an artisanal solution to waste management in Mumbai’s creeks, archival photo narratives, traditional warli art, art workshops by a warli artist, cultural and food walks.

At the festival:

• New Catch in Town demonstrated a low-cost, sustainable and traditional solution to solid waste management in the city’s creeks 

• Art and cultural activities centred the socio-cultural and environmental significance of the community. The digital and physical exhibition visually depicted stories of environmental amnesia from the communities in the form of photovoice, traditional artwork, maps and urban design models, and

• Cultural immersion in the form of traditional art, food and cycling trails for urban youth helped connect with the lived experiences of the Kolis and Warlis.

  
  

Partners Involved

Ministry of Mumbai’s Magic, Bombay61 Studio, India Heritage Lab, Studio Talk.

Impact

With 90+ media features the initiative reshaped the climate equity narrative, highlighting the role of traditional communities, like the Koli’s, in sustainability. New Catch in Town garnered over 200K+ digital supporters, and recognition in a Bombay High Court PIL as a solution to be scaled up. With its digital reach of over 4 million people —driving awareness, advocacy, and momentum for systemic change.

Checkout the Ministry of Mumbai's Magic website and Through the Eyes of the Kolis

Conclusion

Placemaking rooted in local representation helps preserve cultural memory and community connection. Art and cultural immersion for those beyond the communities amplifies their stories, ensuring their identity remains visible and valued amidst sprawling urbanisation.