Our Self-Written Obituaries – Yuvika Vats, Bangalore

The 166th death. [Text and photos sent by Yuvika Vats] Yuvika Vats feared that she would die of loneliness as a result of the highly non-life threatening disease she suffered from–the Resting Bitch Face syndrome. You see, the main effect…

Julia Child in Delhi – Longtime Family Cook, Amma, Makes Her Narangi Rice, South Delhi

The great chef’s life in Delhi. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Old-time family cooks don’t fuss about their employer’s guests — The Delhi Walla‘s experience. They are so prized by the family, so entwined into its affairs, that…

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Prachi Bhutada, Pune

The 165th death. [Text by Prachi Bhutada; photos by Anand Desai] Prachi Bhutada wanted to be everything. What she ended up being was: too much. Of that she was embarrassed, you could tell. She was loud, like her grandmother. She…

City Monument - A Ruined Mansion, Pahari Bhojla, Old Delhi

Remains of a vanished world. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Their numbers dwindle with each passing year, which is understandable. Old derelict homes do collapse after decades of benign neglect. But this is more than merely sad —…

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Ayushi Shah, Mumbai

The 164th death. [Text and photos sent by Ayushi Shah] Ayushi Shah is no more. Not a shocker though, as she thought growing older was stress inducing and she survived 20 only by calling it ‘twenteen’. After all, like her…

City Food - Ghar Ka Khana Platter, India International Center

Homely khana for the elite. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Why would anybody anybody go to a restaurant just to eat home cooking? But that’s exactly one of the items listed in the menu at the elite India…

Delhi’s Bandaged Heart – Vidya Singh, Ghaziabad

Poetry in the city. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] So many of us dream of becoming writers. Mostly it just remains a dream. But not in Vidya Singh’s case. Last year, this 77-year-old poet became the author of…

Mission Delhi – Mohit Jain, Balbir Nagar Extension

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The neighbours are sniggering. Even his parents sometimes wonder…. Wondering why their grown-up son has crammed so many novels and poetry books into his tiny…

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Vindhya Vatsyayan, Mehrauli

The 163rd death. [Text by Vindhya Vatsyayan, photos by Suneel and Shubham Vatsyayan] She had a big smile with bigger teeth. Vindhya Vatsyayan always wanted to knock on random doors and ask what’s your story. Last night around 11:34 when…

City Moment - A Rickshaw Puller's Business Negotiations, Central Delhi

The memorable instant. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] If rickshaws could talk, they would sometimes protest. And certainly this poor vehicle has every right to complain. Laden as it is with huge bundles, one on top of the…