Snapshot moments captured in one of Delhi’s more charming landmarks.

[Pictures and text by Mayank Austen Soofi]

Ishrat Ali is an employee of Godin &a Co., the capital’s legendary piano shop at Connaught Place. He has been here for the last thirty years. Mr Ali, however, does not know how to play piano. His expertise, instead, is in the sitar. The piano shop also sells sitars, guitars, tablas, dholaks and harmoniums. Mr Ali learned the art from his late father, a sitar player from Lucknow.

Try spending some time in the shop if you happen to walk by the Regal Cinema building. Mr Ali, who cannot see, can often be seen, and heard, playing Raag Pahari within the quiet of its run down charm. But be warned–he can be very eccentric.

Where Are the Customers?

To Play or Not to Play

To Play

Piano Vs Sitar

Watching Him Play

The Concert Audience

The Sound of Raag Pahari

The Show is Over

Waiting for a Customer, Once Again

Where 1, Regal Building, Parliament Street Timing 11 am to 7 pm (Sunday closed) Ph 23362809

Related Reading City Landmarks – A. Godin & Co.