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

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

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…