Mission Delhi – 75 Faces, Around Town

Mission Delhi – 75 Faces, Around Town

The faces of Delhi. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] A city is not made by its buildings and bazaars, but by its people. That’s why The Delhi Walla started the Mission Delhi project in 2009. My mission is…

City Hangout – Government Sunder Nursery, Mathura Road

City Hangout – Government Sunder Nursery, Mathura Road

The magical greenhouse. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] From October to March, it is a country of roses, tulips, poppies and dahlias – all available at bargain basement prices. Government Sunder Nursery – Sunder means ‘beautiful’ in Hindi…

City Faith – Sehri Feast, Gosht Walli Pahari

City Faith – Sehri Feast, Gosht Walli Pahari

Feasting and fasting in Ramzan. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] The kaleji and korma are done. The khajla has been left to soak in milk. As her daughter-in-law Sumaiya slices onions for the salad, Rashida Qureshi, 50, adds rice to yakhni….

Photo Essay – A Suitable Girl for Vikram Seth, Around Town

Photo Essay – A Suitable Girl for Vikram Seth, Around Town

The woes of a millionaire novelist. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Delhi-based novelist Vikram Seth was to submit the manuscript of his new novel A Suitable Girl to his publisher in June 2013. He hasn’t – according to…

Shweta’s Review – On Nobody Can Love You More

Shweta’s Review – On Nobody Can Love You More

Life in a red light district. [By Shweta; photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Critic Shweta discussed Nobody Can Love You More: Life in Delhi’s Red Light District, a book by The Delhi Walla, in the social-cataloging website Good Reads. Click…

Delhi’s Proust Questionnaire – Manika Dhama, Barakhamba

Delhi’s Proust Questionnaire – Manika Dhama, Barakhamba

The Proustian self-introspection. [By The Delhi Proustians] The Proust Questionnaire represents a form of interview that owes its structure to answers given by French novelist Marcel Proust, the author of In Search of Lost Time, at two birthday parties that…

Mission Delhi - Leonid Plotkin, Paharganj

Mission Delhi – Leonid Plotkin, Paharganj

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Sitting quietly, he is having masala chai. The Delhi Walla meets Leonid Plotkin, 40, at the Madan Café & Restaurant in Paharganj, a district in…

City Food – Kachori, Around Town

City Food – Kachori, Around Town

Puff with pizazz. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] In South Delhi’s Mehrauli bazaar, close to the Mughal-era monument Zafar Mahal, the Sohan Lal eatery opens at first light. Out of sheer habit, the local residents start gathering outside…

Family Album – The Sattars, Pahari Imli

Family Album – The Sattars, Pahari Imli

The Delhi coffee table. [Text and photos of photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] In order to feel the intimate life of Delhiites, The Delhi Walla is going from house to house, requesting people to show their family photos. The project…

City Neighbourhood - Nasbandi Colony, Ghaziabad

City Neighbourhood – Nasbandi Colony, Ghaziabad

The impotent land. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Hopelessness stifles the air. Lethargy is invasive. Life goes on in a dreary motion. Everyone moves slowly, knowing there is no future. The world is sterile. Welcome to Nasbandi Colony….