City Hangout - The Perfect Sunset Point, India Gate Circle

City Hangout – The Perfect Sunset Point, India Gate Circle

The ideal sundown island. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The Delhi Walla always imagined that the perfect sunset belonged to cities with a beach or a mountain range. So obviously there couldn’t be any place in Delhi to…

City Landmark - Lenin's Tomb, Nehru Park

City Landmark – Lenin’s Tomb, Nehru Park

A forgotten statue. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The sprawling Nehru Park is a perfect escape with its abundance of trees and rocks. You would think our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s statue must be tucked away in…

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Ankita Raina, Delhi University

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Ankita Raina, Delhi University

The 150th death. [Text by Ankita Raina; photos by Anonymous and Rohini Bhat] Ankita Raina, a student of English Literature in Delhi University and a proud misfit who lived her life in constant terror, died this Thursday morning in a…

City Food - Butter Coffee, Chitli Qabar Chowk

City Food – Butter Coffee, Chitli Qabar Chowk

The winter drink. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Are you still a butter coffee newbie? You can have one right here in Old Delhi. The quiet, unassuming Mohammed Moinuddin, in his 40s, has been serving butter coffee to…

City Walk - Vakeel Lane, Central Delhi

City Walk – Vakeel Lane, Central Delhi

A serene amble. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] This quiet stretch has the tranquility of a siesta hour. Vakeel Lane is a short walk from the Colonial-era commercial district of Connaught Place. But you will not believe it….

Mission Delhi - Reshma, Inside a Ghaziabad Apartment

Mission Delhi – Reshma, Inside a Ghaziabad Apartment

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Young folks have dreams. Dreaming that someday, somewhere, some sort of career awaits. But at age 18, Reshma is already making a living, working in…

Netherfield Ball – The Story Behind Meru Gokhale's No-Show at Chiki Sarkar's Launch of Perumal Murugan's Book, India Islamic Center

Netherfield Ball – The Story Behind Meru Gokhale’s No-Show at Chiki Sarkar’s Launch of Perumal Murugan’s Book, India Islamic Center

The party secrets. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s a cold smoggy evening at the bleak India Islamic Center and we are growing attached to an intellectual’s grey braid. The Delhi Walla is at the launch of Perumal…

Home Sweet Home - Chacha Jan's Unauthorized Home, Vasundhara

Home Sweet Home – Chacha Jan’s Unauthorized Home, Vasundhara

Inside the walls. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] One day his home was there, as always. Today, it’s not there. That unauthorized makeshift dwelling was the only constant in this ever-changing middle-class neighborhood in suburban Vasundhara. Known simply…

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Megha Gandotra, Jammu & Kashmir

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Megha Gandotra, Jammu & Kashmir

The 149th death. [Text and photos by Megha Gandotra] Megha Gandotra, a polyamorous witch of 28 was found dead today in a field of yellow flowers, overdosed on Murakami and clear view of blue skies. Last seen she was searching…

City Hangout - Sajid's Hair-Cutting Salon, Ballimaran

City Hangout – Sajid’s Hair-Cutting Salon, Ballimaran

Best barber shop. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Is there anything to say about the Walled City that hasn’t already been said? Though the area thrives on pure chaos, you can always find a small space offering sweet…