City Food - Telugu Thali, Andhra Bhavan Canteen

City Food – Telugu Thali, Andhra Bhavan Canteen

Divided curries. [Text band photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Will they build a wall? Will one side of the canteen serve Seemandhra sambhar and the other, Telangana biryani? The Andhra Pradesh Bhavan canteen in central Delhi is recommended by Lonely…

Mission Delhi - Sheila Dikshit, Feroz Shah Marg

Mission Delhi – Sheila Dikshit, Feroz Shah Marg

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s late morning and Sheila Dikshit is picking up a duster from the top of her washing machine. Until recently, this 4ft, 11-inch woman was…

City Hangout - Madras Coffee House, Connaught Place

City Hangout – Madras Coffee House, Connaught Place

A place to dissent. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The food is not memorable. The flowers are made of plastic. The walls are painted to a dull shade. The mezzanine floor is locked down. Opened in 1935 by…

Delhi Proustians - A Day in Combray, France

Delhi Proustians – A Day in Combray, France

Journey of a lifetime. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It was raining lightly when the train reached the station. Carrying Swann’s Way in one hand, The Delhi Walla walked through the town. The streets were empty. A creaky…

City Sighting – Arundhati Roy, Jamia Millia Islamia University

City Sighting – Arundhati Roy, Jamia Millia Islamia University

Delhi’s biggest mischief-maker. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] One morning The Delhi Walla spotted author Arundhati Roy inside a packed conference hall in Jamia Millia Islamia University. The author of The God of Small Things was talking on…

City Life - Wandering Vendors, Around Town

City Life – Wandering Vendors, Around Town

License to sell. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Laxmikant Shukla is as much a Khan Market institution as Dayal Opticals or Chonas restaurant. Since 1972, he has been coming to Delhi’s most posh market to sell dusters and…

City Sighting - B.R. Ambedkar & Arundhati Roy, Navayana

City Sighting – B.R. Ambedkar & Arundhati Roy, Navayana

New book in town. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] One evening The Delhi Walla spotted a new book — Annihilation of Caste: The Annotated Critical edition by B.R. Ambedkar with The Doctor and the Saint: An introduction by…