Dhobighat Mahalaxami Bridge
Mumbai, when one sees from Mahalaxami Bridge, one sees Dhobighat. Our eyes see all colorful clothes and big black stones.
Almost 10 000 people work here night and day. They are members of the Dhobi caste.
Documentary, December 2006.
© Frederic Pascual
Mumbai, when one sees from Mahalaxami Bridge, one sees Dhobighat. Our eyes see all colorful clothes and big black stones.
Almost 10 000 people work here night and day. They are members of the Dhobi caste.
Documentary, December 2006.
© Frederic Pascual
One can arrives to Dhobighat from five ways. The stair case leads from the Mahalaxami Bridge. It’s one of the main entries. The Dhobighat belongs to the Municipal Corporation, but the rent is paid by the Dhobi’s to the corporation.
One can arrives to Dhobighat from five ways. The stair case leads from the Mahalaxami Bridge. It’s one of the main entries. The Dhobighat belongs to the Municipal Corporation, but the rent is paid by the Dhobi’s to the corporation.
This is a complete and real community. When you born in the Dhobi caste, you live and you dead as a Dhobi. Everybody is dedicated to the washing as young as they can do something
This is a complete and real community. When you born in the Dhobi caste, you live and you dead as a Dhobi. Everybody is dedicated to the washing as young as they can do something
So, you can find almost everything as in the city. This is the Dhobi’s Clinic. I didn't see school. But, a kid is a kid. There is time to play.
So, you can find almost everything as in the city. This is the Dhobi’s Clinic. I didn't see school. But, a kid is a kid. There is time to play.
In the evening, from 4 pm, the water is prepared. There are big furnaces on which big drums are built. In the drums, caustic soda and black soap is mixed and the mixture is boiled for 4 hours.
In the evening, from 4 pm, the water is prepared. There are big furnaces on which big drums are built. In the drums, caustic soda and black soap is mixed and the mixture is boiled for 4 hours.
The clothes are sorted and steeped in the hot water for the rest of the night. The clothes are not labeled. At 4 a.m, the Dhobi starts the work of washing the clothes. They will move the clothes to the stones
The clothes are sorted and steeped in the hot water for the rest of the night. The clothes are not labeled. At 4 a.m, the Dhobi starts the work of washing the clothes. They will move the clothes to the stones
The Ghat's consist in 765 black stones. Each Dhobi can only wash on its own stone. He inherits the stone from his father and will make heritage with his son.
The Ghat's consist in 765 black stones. Each Dhobi can only wash on its own stone. He inherits the stone from his father and will make heritage with his son.
Some stones are used to “fine tune” the washing with a brush.
Some stones are used to “fine tune” the washing with a brush.
Then the clothes are squeezed with machines. I guess these hand machines are “quite new”. Ghat was build during the English era.
Then the clothes are squeezed with machines. I guess these hand machines are “quite new”. Ghat was build during the English era.
The clothes are dried on nylon ropes without any hanging clips. This is the "Dryland". The previous area is called "Wetland".
The clothes are dried on nylon ropes without any hanging clips. This is the "Dryland". The previous area is called "Wetland".