Ruma from Kamathipura has big dreams. “One day my artworks will draw people from across the world to Kamathipura. They’ll come, and pay me; this time for my art. I’ll make a living out of it,” the 40-year-old, who migrated to the neighbourhood as a sex worker from Kolkata, tells us. At least some part of the dream is shaping up in front of our eyes at the Kamathipura BMC School, leading up to the first ever Kamathipura Kala Mela: A showcase of paintings, sculptures, and theatre made by, of, and for the women.

Helmed by the Haan Hum initiative, a brainchild of artist-facilitators Jaimala Iyer, Anil Jha, Neethu Venkateshaiah and Girija Hariharan, the festival is a culmination of a nearly four-year-long effort to bring creative freedom to the marginalised, underserved and exploited. “I was introduced to the sex workers by their daughters who were part of the educational organisation Kranti. We’ve now become a sisterhood,” Girija smiles as we walk to the main hall.