Life in Delhi’s prettiest neighborhood.

[Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi]

The sun leaves the winter sky. The air empties of all sounds. The lake by the village crystallizes into utter solitude.

The Delhi Walla is walking around Hauz Khas lake. Although visible from my roof, it is stirring up feelings only at this close vicinity — the entire place is drenched in magic. The 14th century ruins of Feroze Shah Tughlaq’s tomb feel like myths in the gathering darkness. The lake’s cold surface is filling up with twilight shades. Two ducks are paddling on its orange blaze.

Close by, a woman is standing alone by a shrub.

The sky blackens and the partially-sunken boat ceases to be visible. Nothing seems to be lost; yet the village becomes (briefly) the most poignant place in Delhi.

Twilight in Hauz Khas

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