Dharavi now has an anthem of its own. ‘Dharavi Ka Kal Bula Raha Hai’, written by poet and brand visionary Prasoon Joshi and composed and sung by Shankar Mahadevan, was unveiled by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Gandhi Jayanti.
Created as part of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), the anthem looks at the neighbourhood through its people, enterprise, energy and aspirations, while turning its gaze towards what lies ahead.
For Joshi, the challenge was to capture Dharavi’s spirit without losing sight of its past.
“Dharavi is not simply a place; it is a living story of resilience, enterprise, aspiration and human spirit. While writing ‘Dharavi Ka Kal Bula Raha Hai’, the thought was to capture that spirit and give it a voice that looks ahead without forgetting where Dharavi has come from. The song is about a tomorrow that is calling, but it is also deeply rooted in the people, energy and dreams that have always defined Dharavi,” he said.
Mahadevan brought Dharavi’s own rhythm into the composition, drawing on its people, work, energy and dreams.
“Music has the ability to bring people together and communicate emotions beyond words. Dharavi has an extraordinary rhythm of its own - its people, its work, its energy and its dreams. The challenge and opportunity were to translate that spirit into music. ‘Dharavi Ka Kal Bula Raha Hai’ is our attempt to create an anthem that feels rooted in Dharavi while carrying the optimism of its future,” Mahadevan said.
Pranav Adani said, “Every great transformation begins with a vision people can see, believe in and participate in. While planning and infrastructure will shape the physical transformation of Dharavi, it is stories, emotions and the shared belief that connect people to that future. We are elated that Prasoon Joshi and Shankar Mahadevan came together to create an anthem that captures the spirit, resilience and optimism of Dharavi and gives voice to the aspirations of its people.”
Ajay Kakar, Head – Corporate Branding, Adani Group, added, “A brand is built not only by what it says, but by what people experience. At Adani, ‘Hum Karke Dikhate Hain’ embodies this belief, and our communication has always sought to take people on a journey that is rooted in positivity, smiles, hope and the belief in a brighter future. ‘Dharavi Ka Kal Bula Raha Hai’ is a beautiful expression of that philosophy. The anthem captures the optimism and aspirations of Dharavi and invites people to look ahead with hope and confidence. It is about celebrating the spirit of the people, their dreams and the possibilities that tomorrow holds.”
The anthem also ties into the Dharavi Experience Centre, which aims to make the proposed urban transformation more tangible by taking visitors through the neighbourhood’s past and present towards its envisioned future.
With the anthem, that future gets a soundtrack — one rooted in Dharavi’s identity while looking ahead.
