Alternative routes across the city of Bengaluru.

The scene is a garbage dump located on Bannerghatta Road, behind the opulent DLF Estates. No roads lead to this landfill. While the family of four rides in the trash truck from their informal and  damaged home to the metropolitan landscapes of Bangalore in search of employment.

During an interview, she did not explicitly state her caste, so we assumed she belonged to the lower. She was hesitant to share her religion since it could hurt her chances of finding work in the city. It took at least three attempts to get her to talk about her neighbourhood. The possibility of expulsion was raised, she said, because of her caste and religion. She needs to make do with this temporary structure for the next three months, as the metal shelf will hold well for that time.

The shift in perspective from venturing out to collect data to finish my archive to engaging in hour-long conversations and listening to how marginalisation creates inequalities in urban environments. How privileged we are never to travel down the "not so urban" where these people must hide to protect their identity.

Mahajan, Aishwarya. "from city eyes away".01-12-2022.

Mahajan, Aishwarya. "They still exist".

30-11-2022

While exploring South Bengaluru for informal settlements, I came across many formal settlements hidden from plain sight. Despite the government's approval of formal and registered dwellings, there are still various levels of authority in these communities.

The homes in this community have been approved by the landlord because of the established social order. Because they are self-aware and afraid of being shunned by the community, lower cast members tend to avoid openly discussing their social status.

The economic and occupational profiles of the locals are likewise shaped by the community's segregation. One home in the neighbourhood serves as the outcasts' refuge from the other seven. They can't do things like laundry or cooking in front of other people.