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The skateboarding subculture is defined by its core value of originality. The sport originated in 1950s California as a land-based alternative to surfing, when skaters built their own boards to hit the streets instead of the waves. This DIY ethos is still at the heart of skating. We see it in the graffiti at skateparks and the stickers plastered over skateboard decks. Since its inception, the sport has only grown in popularity, finding its way across the world as more and more people take to skateboarding. It’s particularly exciting to watch Indians embrace a subculture that uplifts individuality and creativity, straying from our cultural tendency to conform. Today, Bandra West has one of India’s most exciting skate scenes.
“India’s skate scene just feels like it has endless possibilities, and I find it fascinating and inspiring.”
Nihar Jhaveri, founder of Bedlam
When Nihar Jhaveri, founder of Tokyo-based clothing brand Bedlam, was visiting Mumbai in 2022, he was taken by Bandra West’s local skaters. Sitting at Carter Road Skatepark, Jhaveri told us that “The energy and originality of all the skaters really stuck with [him.]” Three years later, he returned to Mumbai with Bedlam’s creative director and photographer Menen Basha “to capture the skaters in their element.”
‘Bedlam In Bandra’ is a photo series showcasing both Mumbai’s local skate talent and Bedlam’s multiculturally rooted designs. Bedlam is a brand that centres on diasporic identity, bridging the gap between Jhaveri’s Indian origins and Japanese upbringing. Bedlam explores the intersections between different cultures while remaining homegrown; Jhaveri described it as “all about discovery and expansion while still honouring your roots.” While the brand is not explicitly a skatewear label, its inclusive, exploratory ethos aligns with that of the skate subculture. Jhaveri told us he was particularly struck by our skate scene because “Bandra’s skate community is open to people from all backgrounds and the inclusivity feels authentic.”
People with multicultural backgrounds may deviate from the monocultural norm, but skaters embrace the points that make them unique. And, just as Bedlam is rooted in a homegrown identity, Jhaveri says, “The skaters of Mumbai have their own original style but it still feels reflective of their city.” ‘Bedlam in Bandra’ pays tribute to these skaters and the distinctly Indian skate subculture they’re cultivating. The photo series features some of Bandra West’s most prominent skaters, including two original members of Carter Road Skatepark, Azhar and Jay, as well as Sameer, a skate instructor, and Tony. Their images are paired with scenes of daily life in Bombay, emphasising the city’s importance to both its skate scene and Bedlam’s creative identity.
“Bandra’s skate community is open to people from all backgrounds, and the inclusivity feels authentic. This is largely what I am trying to promote with Bedlam, I want it to feel welcoming to the diaspora no matter how far.”
Nihar Jhaveri, founder of Bedlam
As India’s skate scene blossoms, Jhaveri hopes to keep cultivating relationships with skaters nationwide. Bedlam in Bandra is just the beginning.
Follow Bedlam here.
Follow the skaters featured in Bedlam in Bandra: Azhar, Jay, Sameer, and Tony.
Follow the photographer and Bedlam's Creative Director Menen Basha here.
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