City Neighbourhood- Gali Godo Wali, Old Delhi

A secretive world. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] With its extreme narrowness and darkened ambiance, Gali Godo Wali has the mood of an underground tunnel . Plus, it is so secretive that it doesn’t exist even on Google…

City Monument - Hazrat Sarmad & Hazrat Hare Bhare, Old Delhi

Old new world. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Some of us like to perceive the world through colours (to truly see the impressionism of colours in everyday existence, you have to google for the New York street-life snapshots…

City Landmark - Vikram Seth’s Florist, Hazrat Nizamuddin East

A hyperlocal business . [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] One icy noon, two winters ago, a tiny red car halted by a pavement florist. The driver’s door flapped open, a chap emerged. He walked up to the florist,…

City Monument - A Perspective of Jama Masjid, Old Delhi

The Dilli style. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Typical Delhi aesthetics, some might say. Two eras co-existing side by side. One belongs to the 17th century. One belongs to our time. One is of red sandstone, other of…

Delhi’s Proust Questionnaire - Gulam Muhammed Malik, Public Library

Waiting for Godot. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The same handsome gaunt face, the same lean figure. The hawk-like eyes glinting in immersive thoughts, the meditative lines on the forehead, and the smart short-cropped grey hair. He is…

City Nature - Songs of Semal, Around Town

Red season. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Late-February afternoon. Auto rickshaw carting the commuter along one of the loopy highways of the circuitous AIIMS flyover. Sky is pitch blue. Other sights totally unremarkable. Suddenly, a tree dotted with…

City Neighbourhood - Gali School Wali, Old Delhi

Lane of doorways. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Standing outside an archaic blue doorway, a man in blue (see photo) is singing a tragically worded lullaby, pleading for alms. He pauses, stands silently for some time, and walks…

City Walk - Civil Lines, Gurugram

A walk for a civil season. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The fog is gone. The smog isn’t so visible. The sky is of a rare blue, at least on certain days. It is that magical time of…

City Monument - Kalan Masjid, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti

A souvenir around the corner. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Shut your eyes. Walk carefully, lest you stumble. Pockmarked with a pothole, the rutty claustrophobic alley is very narrow, very dark, flanked by grim faded walls. Now, open…

Mission Delhi - Imran, Central Delhi

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Four rotis and masoor dal—that is Imran’s lunch this afternoon. He cooked it in the morning. He always does. Tasked for the loading and unloading…