City Landmark – A Disappearing Doorway, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti
A beauty from the past. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It will be a great pity to walk right past that peeling cobwebbed doorway, padlocked for years, without giving it a close second look. This is an architectural…
City Hangout – Udupi Café, Pratap Bhawan, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
A summer oasis. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The window blinds are smothering out any hint of the day, keeping the hall in a cool delicious shade. Udupi Café in Central Delhi’s ITO (Pratap Bhawan, Bahadur Shah Zafar…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Sadia Hashmi, Abul Fazal Enclave, Delhi
The 231st death. [Text and photos sent by Sadia hashmi] Sadia Hashmi, 25, was discovered dead in her study in New Delhi. She passed away while writing her autobiography. To our surprise, she was towards the end of the book….
Mission Delhi – Muhammed Akbar, Lutyens’ Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] He finds it difficult to sleep at night, which is understandable. “How can I?” says autorickshaw driver Muhammed Akbar. Driving his auto through the leaves-strewn…
City Moment – Two Houseless Friends, Turkman Gate
The memorable instant. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] No doubt about it. They’re inseparable. Far away from their respective families, both Mumtaz and his canine friend have found common cause, living together through thick and thin. They are…
City Style – The Turban Sartorialist, Gurgaon
Easy lies the head. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Sometimes, certain sartorial codes are so deeply rooted in the protocols of a person’s daily life that it is unimaginable for that individual to negotiate compromises with them. Farmer…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Ajwah Nadeem, Lahore, Pakistan
The 230th death. [Text and photo sent by Ajwah Nadeem] This death was her choice. She didn’t leave a note for anyone. We don’t know why. Obsessed with owning the space she was born into, she strived to grow. Insecurities…
Mission Delhi – Savitri, Connaught Place
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] As a living landmark in Connaught Place, she has been selling fresh fruit as long as most patrons can remember. “It’s been about 40 years,”…
City Faith – Thursday Djinns, Feroze Shah Kotla Ruins
The supernatural encounters. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It looks like a festive place to be. Groups of women are dressed in shararas of various shades. Auto-rickshaws are packed with children holding on to orange and green ice-cream…
Mission Delhi – Sher Singh, Central Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s pretty clear why some citizens end up as engineers, say, or maybe even beggars. But what about bird food sellers? For some 40 years…
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