THE TEEMING UNDERBELLY SUPPORTING A GLITZY TOP

I have had strange interactions with Dharavi, dubiously honoured as Asia's largest slum.

- MADHAVAN NARAYANAN

Perhaps because of them, I can understand why it is a muse for filmmakers, a haven for criminals, a vote-catcher for power-seekers, and an economic engine that powers the storied mansions and skyscrapers of Mumbai.

One of my early impressions was watching Varadarajan Mudaliar, don of the Dharavi underworld. He was on stage at a Ganesh Chaturthi celebration as a key benefactor, and the auntie who briefly housed me in nearby Matunga as a paying guest was pithy in telling me why he mattered: "People may say things about him, but he does a lot of good things for our temples."

Varadabhai, who was immortalised by Mani Ratnam in Kamal Haasan-starrer Nayakan (Hero), came bouncing back to memory as I read how the current plan to 'redevelop' Dharavi is a matter of political slugfest at election time. About $237 million of the $2-billion project has already been spent.

The Dharavi project, a key issue for Mumbaikars at the assembly elections next week, will directly or indirectly touch the lives of nearly one million people. Not all of them are likely to be amused by big money chasing the livelihoods of small people-with the clear and present prospect of their being shifted out of the area.