SOBOICAR

The Catholic neighbourhoods of South Mumbai are a dwindling lot. From Colaba and Dhobi Talao, to Byculla and Mazgaon, these pockets were vibrant centres of food, culture, religion, and tradition, drawing Christians from Goa, Karwar and Mangalore. They carried with them multiple histories and a disillusioning Portuguese colonial legacy, which they were slowly shedding in urban Bombay. While some used the city as the “in between” or “connection” point between their native land and the countries they travelled to for work, many settled here and made it their home.

The changing migratory patterns, better prospects and the spate of redevelopment projects, however, compelled residents to move further away—sometimes to the suburbs, but often abroad—emptying these spaces of the stories and people that once defined them. Soboicar hopes to revisit the rich legacy of these neighbourhoods through archival photos, oral stories, and personal sketches. The attempt is to create a portrait of a community from Western India that came, went, and remained. This project is conducted in partnership with Jane Borges.