City Landmark – Sapru House, Barakhamba Road
Of post-independent history. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] A dome that’s like a Buddhist stupa. Pillars resembling those at ancient Hindu temples. Designs on the gateway inspired by Islamic monuments. This red-and-white sandstone edifice is permeated with the…
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 Landmark – Dharmender Kumar Soni’s Goldsmith Workshop, Nai Basti
Of slow time. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] So tiny, so pretty—these objects, piled up on the mantlepiece. While a large wooden board adorned with an array of rings and pendants invite a second look for their delicate…
City Landmark – Muhammad Ateek Chawbiwale, Tiraha Behram Khan
The key man. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s like discovering all the passwords of your online existence copy-pasted into a stranger’s laptop. Such is the alarm one feels on coming face-to-face with hundreds of keys hanging in…
City Landmark – Old Doorway, Sadar Bazar, Gurgaon
A leftover beauty. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Eighteen little squares are sculpted into each of the door’s two kiwaars, the shutters. A metallic chain is attached at the top. The side jambs—the chaukhat—are carved with intricate patterns….
City Landmark – Siri Fort Auditorium, South Delhi
Out of time. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] When icons fall out of use, what shall we turn them into? Named after a centuries-old ruin, the iconic Siri Fort Auditorium is lying in ruins, metaphorically speaking. This afternoon,…
City Landmark – Joseph Stein’s Tomb, India International Centre
On New Delhi’s iconic architect’s 20th death anniversary. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s a sunny evening, here in the members-only India International Centre (IIC). The Lounge by the poolside is teeming with softly-chatting tea-drinking ladies in handloom…
City Landmark – Vandana Book Shop, Aurobindo Market
Labour of love. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s a bookshop run by a family. It’s also a bookshop run by a family. Its staffers are very polite, very attentive. Its staffers are also very polite, very attentive….
City Landmark – The Ashok, Chanakyapuri
The 5-star hotel at 65. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The red sandstone edifice is regal. The sweep of the driveway is as majestic. Just walking on it makes you feel like a head of State on way…
City Landmark – Ghantaghar Clock Tower, Hari Nagar
The circle of time. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] This place is like a sheet of paper that has been folded many times over. So that the original page gets balkanised into many little sheets, with each fold…
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