India’s oldest surviving Jewish temple. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Its name literally means ‘foreigner’ in Hindi. The Delhi Walla is in Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town, Cochin. India’s oldest surviving Jewish temple, it is a dream world…
The hotel of The God of Small Things. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] “Room numbers 313 and 327,” The man at the reception desk said. “Non-air-conditioned. Twin beds. Lift is closed for repair.” This is not true. Lift…
Hope floats. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] There are religious wars going on in the world. Muslims hate Jews. Hindus hate Muslims. Yazidis are hated by Islamists. Sunnis hate Shiites. Many hate Muslims. This is the story we…
The end of a sweet landmark. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s shutting down. The German Bakery at Appetite German Bakery in Delhi’s backpackers’ district of Paharganj will soon be history. “The bakery is not giving us good…
The published author with his new book. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Is there a more intensely anxious feeling than to be a published writer and enter a bookshop to gaze upon one’s own book that has newly…
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,…
The memorable instant. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] A history student in Gargi College, she reads poetry, keeps a journal (see photo 3 below) and now she is the new shop assistant at The Book Shop in Jorbagh….
The day’s outing. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s Eid today. The Delhi Walla spent the morning in the Muslim quarter of the Walled City. I walked along the alleys and also entered the homes of welcoming hosts….
The party secrets. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] News anchor Barkha Dutt looked like a Prime Time killer in her flowing silky-white pajamas. Publisher Meru Gokhale, wearing white from head to toe, seemed as fragile as late night…
The memorable instant. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The sun has set but the sky isn’t dark yet. One evening The Delhi Walla is walking in Nehru Park. The city seems to be winding down for the night….
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