Dharavi Gets Its Anthem ‘Dharavi Ka Kal Bula Raha Hai’ By Prasoon Joshi And Shankar Mahadevan

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) marked a new chapter on Gandhi Jayanti with the unveiling of a new anthem dedicated to Dharavi, celebrating its people, entrepreneurial spirit and aspirations for the future.

Titled ‘Dharavi Ka Kal Bula Raha Hai’, the anthem has been written by poet, thinker and brand visionary Padma Shri Prasoon Joshi and composed and sung by Padma Shri Shankar Mahadevan. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the anthem, which seeks to capture the energy and resilience of Dharavi while looking ahead to its transformation.

Speaking about the song, Prasoon Joshi said, “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.”

For Shankar Mahadevan, the composition was about translating Dharavi’s unique rhythm and energy into music.

“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,” Mahadevan said.

Pranav Adani said the anthem adds an emotional dimension to Dharavi’s larger transformation, noting that while infrastructure will shape its physical development, stories and shared aspirations can 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,” he said.

Ajay Kakar, Head – Corporate Branding, Adani Group, said the anthem reflects the group’s communication philosophy of positivity, hope and a 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,” Kakar said.

The anthem forms part of the broader narrative around the Dharavi redevelopment, with the Dharavi Experience Centre aiming to help visitors understand the neighbourhood’s past, present and envisioned future. Through music, the project now seeks to give that vision an emotional and cultural voice.

The anthem is available across YouTube, Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.