
City Hangout – Sheesh Mahal Tea House, Farash Khana
Glasses of chai. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The imperial evening in the Palace of Mirrors is already strained to begin with. And then the rebel-courtesan gets more and more mutinous in her dance. She even picks up…

City Food – Randeep’s Carrot Halwa, Civil Lines
A farmer’s cold season offering. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] December arrives this week. The chill is set to intensify. To a certain generation, the winter would be invested with sun-drenched courtyards. In these smoggy times, one hardly…

City Landmark – Sonu Kalai Wale, Lambi Walli Gali
Coppersmith’s world. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The empty haveli has lost its grandeur. A part of its wall collapsed some months ago during a night of lightning, here in Lambi Walli Gali, a few steps away from…

City Hangout – Paharganj Magic Realism, Main Bazar
Odd architecture. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Two tiny shops, clinging tightly to each other. Atop lies what must had once been a house—now reduced to its skeletal frame. Wild brown grass has claimed the vanished roof’s still…

City Hangout – Aurobindo Market, South Delhi
The other sides of the market. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Nobody is denying the slow, subtle charm of Aurobindo Market. Its neighbourly vibes, where everyone seems to know everyone, are soothing. There is a certain old-fashioned politeness…

City Hangout – Batla House Qabristan, Near Jamia Millia Islamia University
Midnight in the graveyard. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It is midnight. People here are sleeping. They have been asleep for a long time, though some have closed their eyes more recently than others. You can tell that…

Mission Delhi – Syed Areeb, Walled City Wall
One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] The life of an Instagram influencer isn’t easy. “I’ll have to continuously update my personality in what I wear and how I look. I’ll always have to convey…

Mission Delhi – Nem Singh, Kucha Lalman
One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] Birds withdraw from their tree in the morning, and fly back to that same shelter by night. This bird leaves its tree in the sundown instead, and returns…

City Food – Deepak Kumar’s Rasgulla-Bread, Nehru Place
Double treat. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] He is standing motionless, like a statue – his arm resting on his cycle’s handlebar, his face exuding calmness. Every now and then, he glances about, as if to signal to…

City Hangout – Pandemic-Era Madan Café, Paharganj
A place for backpackers. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The cafés are once again crowded with backpackers. The paves are full of the blab of Israelis. The touts too have surfaced. Paharganj is back in business. If only….
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