Death Notice – Fact & Fiction Booksellers is Closing
Death of a landmark. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Founded in 1984, Fact & Fiction, Delhi’s most eclectic bookstore, will soon close. “In a few weeks from now, I will be bringing down the curtain on Fact &…
The Biographical Dictionary of Delhi – Bhim Sen Puri, b. Garhdiwala, Punjab, 22 March, 1922
The face of Delhi’s fifth estate. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Extra, extra, read all about it. Is there a more pleasurable morning ritual than the ceremony of unveiling a crisp, unread newspaper? Bhim Sen Puri’s daily beat…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Sabina Matthay, Berlin
The 94th death. [By Sabina Matthay] Sabina Matthay died, contemplating the finality of parting from India. When she was posted to India many years ago she couldn’t wait for her contract to end. India and the Indians, it all seemed…
Atget’s Corner – 851-855, Delhi Photos
The visible city. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] Delhi is a voyeur’s paradise and The Delhi Walla also makes pictures. I take photos of people, streets, flowers, eateries, drawing rooms, tombs, landscapes, buses, colleges, Sufi shrines, trees, animals, autos, libraries, birds,…
City Library – Anjani Kumar’s Books Sequel, Jor Bagh
A vanishing world. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The Delhi Walla has often flicked books from other people’s homes. So it was quite astounding to know that there are people doing the exact opposite. Readers will remember the…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Megha Shankar Seth, Alaknanda, Delhi
The 93rd death. [By Megha Shankar Seth] Megha Shankar Seth died today while travelling to work just after she received a phone call from her mother-in-law professing her love and gratitude for being a wonderful daughter-in-law and being a better…
Metro Observed – Inside the Coaches-2, Delhi Subway
Life in the Metro. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] She was probably around twenty (see the photo above). She wore a purple sari with silver-colored designs that seemed to be patterned after flowers and leaves. Her arms were…
City Hangouts – Javed Khan’s Old Swiss Watches, New Markazi Market
Place of time. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] 9711052575 – This is his mobile phone number. Call him now. The extremely frail Javed Husain Khan sells second-hand Swiss watches—for a bargain. The Delhi Walla wrote about him way…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Zara Wazir Ali, Lahore, Pakistan
The 92nd death. [By Zara Wazir Ali] Death is not an alien thought to my over-obsessive brain. And what I have learned from life is that death brings out vulnerability, being a moment of utter honesty, it will make me…
City Landmark – Mahatta & Co, Connaught Place
The original photoshop. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Not a moment to spare. A constant stream of customers through the door. Some wanting to get their portrait done, others their photos developed. Some inquire about cameras. Maharani Gayatri…
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