In May 2011, the East Indian village or Gaothan of Mobai in Manori set up Mobai Bhavan, a museum that documented the culture and life within the community. Conceptualised by the Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP), the initiative is now being carried forward through a range of activities — a revamped East Indian museum, which should be ready in three months, special East Indian stores in each gaothan (there are around 120 gaothans across Mumbai), and the first-ever English and Marathi dictionary documenting the language.

Recreation of an East Indian kitchen at Mobai Bhavan. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar