Uttan Photography Tour

Everyone in Mumbai or even outside, is familiar with the name Dharavi and they associate it with one of Asia’s largest informal settlements. However, not many are aware of Dharavi Island, located at the mouth of Vasai Creek, far from Sion’s informal settlements. On simply wandering around Dharavi Island, I started taking photos of Uttan, one of the five villages that comprise the island.

Dharavi Island comprises villages such as Pali, Dongri Chowk, Uttan, Manori and Gorai. The island is named after the Dharavi Devi Mandir, A temple dedicated to the mother goddess, Dharavi. These are fishing and agricultural villages.

Uttan has two prominent communities — the Kolis (fishing community) and East Indian community. Fishing is the main source of livelihood for the Kolis. A few people from the East Indian community are also involved in fishing. However, most of the East Indians work in agriculture or other professions.

Some fishermen go to the sea for a day of fishing on a small boat. They usually go in the morning and return by evening. However, most of the fishermen have big boats. They usually go out to the sea for 10 to 12 days. The fishermen are usually out at sea until their boats are full with fish. However, the work doesn’t end there. Once they are at the shore, they have to unload the fish, clean it up, and sell it to the wholesaler who arrives at the beach to purchase and load it into the truck. The fish then go to the different markets of Mumbai. 

Fishing requires tremendous hard work. So, whenever they get a breather, the people of Uttan make the most of it. Christmas, an important festival for the locals, as most of the locals follow the Christian faith.

From June to the first week of August, the Kolis do not go fishing as this is the breeding period for marine life and also because the sea is rough in the monsoon. They begin fishing again in August with Narali Purnima, a festival where they offer coconuts to the sea and pray for a calm sea and fruitful season ahead. 

So get ready to explore the Uttan Village

Itinerary For Uttan Photography Tour

Our Meeting Point would be Bhayander Station West Ticket window at 3pm sharp on 19th Jan 2025

From there we take a bus/rickshaw towards the Uttan fishing Village

We explore and document the village from 3pm to 7pm

We end the walk with tea and group photo

Requirements For This Tour

This walk is suited for Photographers/Filmmakers

Small camera with fixed focal lens or wide angle lens.(preferable)

Shoot with whatever you feel comfortable with. Camera, Mobile phone, if you just want to observe with your eyes, you can do that too. 

Good walking shoes.

As many fully charged camera batteries you can carry.

First aid kit, if you are on any medication or treatment, Please consider your doctor before joining.

Travel as light as you can

Relief Spray

Water Bottle

Power Bank