In love with clichés.
[Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi]
Paharganj = Foreign tourists. Kinari Bazaar = Narrow streets. Khan Market = Rich-looking people. Turkman Gate = Ghetto Muslims. Select Citywalk = Mall rats. Gali Qasim Jaan = Ghalib’s haveli. Connaught Place = White pillars. Punjabi Bagh = Punjabi families. GB Road = Sex workers. Gali Parathe Walli = Steamy parathas. Basant Lok = Barcoded consumers. Lodhi Road = Leafy trees.
Trying to get a sense of the place often translates to seeing it through the prism of its popular clichés. It is an easy exercise, but the result is shallow in wisdom and only partially true. Take a look.
Connaught Place
Kinari Bazaar
Blueline 520
Chandni Chowk
Khan Market
Malliwara
GB Road
Paharganj
Basant Lok
Kucha Pandit
Punjabi Bagh
Gali Qasim Jaan
Pratap Street
Gali Parathe Walli
Turkman Gate
Select Citywalk Mall
Matia Mahal
Lodhi Road
Nizamuddin Basti
Iltutmish’s Tomb
