Mission Delhi – Mushirul Hasan, JNU Campus
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Four months after finishing his term as the Vice Chancellor of Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia University, Professor Mushirul Hasan, 60, is scheming for the…
Photo Essay – Season’s Greetings, Bhikaji Cama Place
Lest we forget. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Tuesday, December 29th, 2009. A cold, windy evening. Bhikaji Cama traffic light. A street performer. The little girl is barefoot. Please wish her a happy New Year. Wish her too
City Cinemas – SRS, JAM, BIG, MMX, G3S
The PVRisation of film halls. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] DU, DUSU, CP, SN, DDLJ, GK1, RTI, SRK, SEZ, HC, SC, PMO, K3G… intimidated by acronyms and abbreviations? Try reading the schedule of city’s cinema halls in the…
City Faith – Muharram & Christmas
Mourning and celebrating. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] It is December 24th, 2009. Late night. A few people — some of them historians, diplomats, designers, actors — are driving to Nizamuddin East, a neighbourhood near Humayun’s Tomb. The…
Mission Delhi – Satnam Singh Juneja, Pratap Street
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] In a neighbourhood where most houses are small and over-crowded, Satnam Singh Juneja is the master of an eight-room address. All his walls are…
City Monument – Agrasen ki Baoli, Hailey Road
The well of solitude. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Amid the business towers and residential apartments of the Colonial-era Connaught Place, this 14th century baoli or ancient step-well, is flanked on both sides by niches, chambers and passageways,…
City Faith – Ramayan Paath, Sahibabad
Finding peace in the Hindu epic. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Pushpa Singh’s living room in Vasundhara Valley Apartment Society has been turned into a temple. She and her husband, Kshetra Pal, are hosting Ramayan Paath, a continuous…
Mission Delhi – Shankar, Matia Mahal
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Matia Mahal Bazaar. Midnight. Shutters down. Looking up at the delicate latticework of Old Delhi balconies, he suddenly turns back and stands facing the…
City Living – So Many Delhis
It’s too varied. [Text and picture by Mayank Austen Soofi] Delhi may be a city but it is as varied as any country. “We have many Delhis,” says Rakhshanda Jalil, the author of Invisible City. “You’ve these oasis of privileges…
Photo Essay – Traffic Jam, Kasturba Gandhi Marg
The carefree hours. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] The cop has surrendered. The traffic lights are not working. The scooters, cars and buses are not moving. You are no longer caring for your appointment. This must be the…
Recent Comments