Our Self-Written Obituaries - Usha Ramaswamy, Hyderabad

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Usha Ramaswamy, Hyderabad

The 257th death. [By Usha Ramaswamy] Usha Ramaswamy died on 27th September in a house filled with love, light and laughter. Swapna, a friend who knew her well, said that she passed away because she knew that she was not…

City Food - Shyam Nashta Corner, Near Gurgaon Railway Station

City Food – Shyam Nashta Corner, Near Gurgaon Railway Station

A homey tea house. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The large counter is stacked with very many egg cartons. A steel tray is serried with green chili and onion pakoris. Another tray is packed with bread pakoras. The…

Mission Delhi - Muhammed Faiz, Dilli Gate

Mission Delhi – Muhammed Faiz, Dilli Gate

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It is a time of endings. It is a time of beginnings. These are the twin worlds that Muhammed Faiz, 21, is straddling at this…

Mission Delhi - Ravindra Kumar, Central Delhi

Mission Delhi – Ravindra Kumar, Central Delhi

One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] The evening is feeling like night. It is prematurely dark. The air is icy. The street is empty. Everyone appears to be sheltering at home. Even the community…

City Life - Three Chair Makers, Central Delhi

City Life – Three Chair Makers, Central Delhi

A fading profession. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] They are sitting on the floor, not on chairs, even though they are professional chair makers. The three gents are weaving cane chairs this icy afternoon in a central Delhi…

City Food - White Carrot Halwa, Sheeren Bhawan

City Food – White Carrot Halwa, Sheeren Bhawan

An unusual version of the same dish. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Winter means carrot halwa, means colour red. Not always. There is at least one place in Delhi that sells carrot halwa, which is not red. It…

Delhi's Bandaged Heart - Covid+ Jonaki Ray's Poem on Omicron Variant, Chirag Enclave

Delhi’s Bandaged Heart – Covid+ Jonaki Ray’s Poem on Omicron Variant, Chirag Enclave

Poetry in the city. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] She was Covid-free. Fully jabbed, always masked, she had been working from home since the coronavirus pandemic gatecrashed our world in early 2020. Finally, last week, omicron caught up with her. The…

Mission Delhi - Muhammed Rajit, Central Delhi

Mission Delhi – Muhammed Rajit, Central Delhi

One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] He has no companion, he asserts. He then pauses, and after some moments, speaks again – “But I do ask about the haal chaal of the people who…

City Hangout - Kaley Tea Stall, Near Turkman Gate

City Hangout – Kaley Tea Stall, Near Turkman Gate

A homey tea house. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The air is foggy. It’s not the pollution, but the steam from piping hot chai boiling in a pan. This is an extremely buzzy tea house. And it’s extensive….

City Hangout - People Watching, Khan Market

City Hangout – People Watching, Khan Market

Humans and dogs. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Look at the gentleman entering the pricey patisserie. Isn’t he the revisionist historian who creates frequent Twitter tornadoes? And now appears another familiar face (okay, mask!). This must be the…