City Faith – A Tree’s New Life, Shiv Temple, Vinay Marg Faith by The Delhi Walla - April 27, 2018April 30, 20181 The consolation of a temple tree. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] This tree seems to be long gone but what’s left of it is certainly not neglected. Sacred red threads envelop the stump. While marigolds and sweet dishes at its base suggest a holy offering, at the Hanuman Temple. Tucked away in central Delhi, it’s a small isle of serenity, seemingly far from the bustle of the nearby Vinay Marg. The central shrine dedicated to lord Hanuman features a sculpted door so extravagant that the carvings appear to be flowers. Or perhaps dolphins? Over there is an entire wall plastered with a stone slab — inscribed with the complete text of Hanuman Chalisa. Overall there’s an obvious sense of domesticity in the shape
Delhi’s Bandaged Heart – Kundan Kumar Singh, Central Delhi City Poetry by The Delhi Walla - April 27, 2018April 27, 20180 Poetry in the city. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Sometimes Kundan Kumar Singh is filled up with confidence-shattering self-doubt. Not because his wife tells him “What will you get from these poems” but because he feels that “Anybody can write the kind of poems I write!” After all, doesn’t poetry come to him too easily? Isn’t it true he often rustles out first drafts during casual walks to the bazaar? But then there are some kind friends who assure him that his poems indeed touch their hearts. A museum curator in Central Delhi during the day, Mr Singh, 38, is a devotee of Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar’, and like that eminent poet and essayist, he grew up in Bihar. But it is Delhi that
City Life – Fakirs’ Corner, North Delhi Life by The Delhi Walla - April 25, 20180 The fakir anthem. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The jagged folksy sort of a song is effortlessly streaming into the evening darkness, here on a sidewalk in north Delhi. The lyrics appear to be in Bengali. But who is singing it and where? Just then a passing car throws its beam on five men huddled beside a wall. One of them turns out to be the singer. He immediately quiets down on spotting The Delhi Walla. “We are all disabled, as you can see,” he says, switching into Hindi. Submerged in shadows, the men look like figures from some renaissance-era painting. One of them says, “We are fakirs.” The man, who was singing, interjects, saying enigmatically, “We make our own songs... the one you
City Food – Guptaji’s Poetry Kulfis, Bhogal and Nearby Areas Food by The Delhi Walla - April 23, 2018April 23, 20182 Summer's treat. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Amar Singh Gupta not only makes delicious milky kulfis—such well-controlled sweetness—but also pens thoughtful verses emblazoned on his cart. Although forever on the move, you’re likely to catch up with him in Bhogal in South Delhi on some hot evening--when you’re not only craving a kulfi or two but perhaps a somber sonnet in the bargain. Such as: Nazuk hai zindagi, pareshan hain zamana Tumhe udhar dekar, hame kya kamana (Life is fragile, distressed is the world If I give you credit, then what will I earn?) A seemingly cheerful soul, Mr Gupta can’t for the life of him figure out where these poetic instincts come from. And doesn’t worry about it. He’s far more certain about his
Home Sweet Home – Abhinav Kakkar, Mahrauli Delhi Homes by The Delhi Walla - April 21, 20180 Mehrauli's dream balcony. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] With a balcony like this, who’d want to leave home? Abhinav Kakkar freely admits his own balcony is a prime attraction—though as an independent photographer he’s usually on the move. But when perched on his balcony in south Delhi’s historic Mehrauli “I just might sit here for long spells watching approaching planes and pondering the meanderings of life.” As well as star-gazing, of course, on those days when the huge skies are blessedly smog-free, “and when a nearby friend can lend me his telescope!” says the 25-year-old. The 4th floor view not only takes in the Qutub Minar monument but also a panoramic view of Gandak ki Baoli, a 14th century stepwell. The overall impression of
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Charvi Kain, Bombay Farewell Notice by The Delhi Walla - April 20, 2018April 20, 20181 The 194th death. [Text and photos sent by Charvi Kain] She died in an Ola. For years, despite owning a driving license and a Metro card for Bombay and Delhi each, Charvi Kain religiously requested for Ubers and Olas. She was an expert at judging when the surge price would simmer down, when she would get an empty Share/Pool ride, and knew a trick or two to keep getting the likes of “We miss you! Here’s 50% off on your next ten rides” coupon codes. Her faceless drivers were almost always pleasant, for she would swiftly cancel on rude voices on the first “Bhaiyya aap kahaan hain?” phone call. And yet, this final Ola journey inexplicably ended her life before she could
Mission Delhi – Peshkar Varma, Connaught Place Mission Delhi by The Delhi Walla - April 19, 20180 One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Thin as a rail, Peshkar Varma ekes out a living by measuring the body weight of the well-nourished. At the close of his work day, he’ll have earned sufficient rupees for one meal only. His occupation is straightforward. Here on Connaught Place pavement “perhaps one out of 20 passersby will stop to check their weight,” explains Mr Varma, 48. “It only costs 5 rupees.” Every evening he purchases dal rice from the dhaba. That’s his daily meal. “Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to save anything from my daily earnings.” As the clock approaches 8 pm he hasn’t yet passed the hundred rupee mark. But Mr Varma appeared undeterred or probably
City Monument – A Lesser-Known Mosque, Safdarjang’s Tomb Monuments by The Delhi Walla - April 18, 20182 A side relic. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s hard to put your finger on it, but there’s an ineffable sense of sadness about Safdarjang’s Tomb—which isn’t always the case with memorials for the dead. One of the very last Mughal-era edifices, this nobleman’s garden-tomb in central Delhi evokes the melancholy of a fallen noble family languishing in genteel poverty. Built in 1750s, this was an unstable period in history when our city still had the living memory of Nader Shah’s invasion. In another 100 years the British would executed almost all Mughal princes and sent the emperor packing. The lingering sadness also holds true for the unnamed and little-known mosque that you’ll discover by passing through a gateway door; and then
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Shirali Raina, Noida Farewell Notice by The Delhi Walla - April 17, 20180 The 193rd death. [Text and photos sent by Shirali Raina] She overdosed on Netflix. They found her, snuggled in a corner of her brown sofa, iPad in her lap, playing yet another re-run of Dr. Martin. That explained the smile on her face. There was a half read book by her feet, Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air. Quite ironic! Irony must have been Shirali Raina’s middle name, she was full of contradictions. She loved to cook and collect recipes but her own recipe book remains unfinished. She loved music but could not hold a single tune true to its form. She was stubborn but her mind could change like quicksilver. She had a big circle of friends, for whom she cared unconditionally but none of
City Hangout – Prime Minister Shastri’s Home, 1, Motilal Nehru Palace Hangouts by The Delhi Walla - April 16, 20183 A homage to simple living. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Imagine spotting an earthen chulha (stove) in a modern kitchen, atop a gleaming counter, in the home of a former prime minister. This is 1, Motilal Nehru Palace where Lal Bahadur Shastri lived as prime minister, and which was later turned into both a memorial and museum, just like Indira Gandhi’s more popular book-filled home some roads away. Mr Shastri, who was PM from 1964 to 66, embodied good taste in his living arrangements, but with a lingering sense of village life, as the chulha suggests. His bedroom is shockingly austere, and includes a single iron bed. The thin mattress lies covered with white khadi bordered in green. The adjoining bedroom