City Faith – A Tree’s New Life, Shiv Temple, Vinay Marg
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…
Delhi’s Bandaged Heart – Kundan Kumar Singh, Central Delhi
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…
City Life – Fakirs’ Corner, North Delhi
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…
City Food – Guptaji’s Poetry Kulfis, Bhogal and Nearby Areas
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…
Home Sweet Home – Abhinav Kakkar, Mahrauli
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….
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Charvi Kain, Bombay
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…
Mission Delhi – Peshkar Varma, Connaught Place
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,…
City Monument – A Lesser-Known Mosque, Safdarjang’s Tomb
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…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Shirali Raina, Noida
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…
City Hangout – Prime Minister Shastri’s Home, 1, Motilal Nehru Palace
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…
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