Birla Opus Paints, part of the Aditya Birla Group’s Grasim Industries, has partnered with The Heritage Project (THP), an initiative seeded by the RPG Foundation, to repair and repaint more than 100 homes and four community centres in Worli Koliwada., one of Mumbai’s oldest fishing neighbourhoods.
Worli Koliwada, one of Mumbai’s oldest and most culturally significant fishing settlements, stands as a living testament to the city’s original communities and coastal heritage. Characterised by its vibrant homes, narrow pathways, and deep-rooted traditions, the Koliwada represents a unique cultural fabric that continues to thrive amidst rapid urbanization. Celebrating and preserving this legacy, The Heritage Project has beenundertaking various initiatives under Worli Koliwada Transformation Project to revitalise the precinct, strengthen neighbourhood identity, while supporting the living culture and livelihoods of the Koli community, among the city’s earliest inhabitants.
Building on this shared vision, Birla Opus Paints, a new-age paints brand from the Aditya Birla Group, has partnered with The Heritage Project to support this transformation. Rooted in its brand belief of ‘Duniya Ko Rang Do’, the initiative reflects Birla Opus Paints’ commitment to going beyond products and actively contributing to meaningful, on-ground change.
Over the last two months, the project focused on revitalising the area’s streetscape through colour while preserving the distinct cultural character of the Koli community. Homes along Golfa Devi Road up to Goda DapkalGround, as well as Sonapur Lane, were repaired and repainted as part of the effort. Drawing inspiration directly from the Koli way of life, a vibrant palette was created mirroring the flamboyant hues of their hand-painted fishing boats, the deep blues of the Arabian Sea, the warm golds of traditional Koli jewellery, and the joyful marigolds and festive motifs found throughout the neighbourhood.
As part of the project, over 1,200 litres of paint and materials were provided to repaint 100 homes and four community centres within Worli Koliwada. This large-scale effort not only enhances the visual vibrancy of the neighbourhood but also strengthens community pride and collective identity.
Given Mumbai’s harsh monsoons and challenging coastal conditions and with the Koliwada located along the sea on rocky terrain, Birla Opus Paints deployed its high-performance exterior solutions designed to offer superior durability and protection. These advanced formulations ensure long-lasting resistance against moisture, salinity, and extreme weather, while maintaining brightness and finish, over time.
“Our Koliwada looks renewed with the new paint. Now my home looks as beautiful and colourful as the homes I admired in Bandra,” said Manda, a local fisherwoman who participated in the repainting of her own home, along with 25 other women.
“At Birla Opus Paints, our philosophy of Duniya Ko Rang Do is about creating spaces that people feel deeply connected to, and our partnership with The Heritage Project is a meaningful way of bringing our ethos of togetherness to life. We believe colour has the power to bring a renewed sense of pride and camaraderie into communities, and we are thrilled to contribute to an initiative that celebrates the heritage that makes Worli Koliwada truly unique” said Inderpreet Singh, Head – Marketing, Birla Opus Paints.
“Worli Koliwada reflects a heritage that continues to evolve with its people. Our work here is about strengthening that identity through small interventions that honour the past while supporting how the neighbourhood lives today,” said Radha Goenka, Founder, The Heritage Project.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to recognising heritage not only through monuments and historic structures, but also through the everyday neighbourhoods and communities that sustain a city’s cultural identity. By blending cultural sensitivity with colour as a medium to protect, uplift, and celebrate spaces that matter, the initiative not only revitalises a historic neighbourhood but also contributes to brightening a crucial and iconic part of Mumbai’s skyline.
