City Food – Wimpy Burgers, Aurobindo Market
The taste of yesterday. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Until October 13 1996, when the golden arches were first raised in the city (in Basant Lok Market), we Delhiwallas were McDonald’s virgins. You can still make a return…
Mission Delhi – Geeta Devi, Good Earth, Khan Market
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] “Hello sir,” she warmly greets the man as he steps into the shop. Geeta Devi is probably Delhi’s only woman doorman. The Delhi Walla meets…
Atget’s Corner – 831-835, Delhi Photos
The visible city. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] Delhi is a voyeur’s paradise and The Delhi Walla also makes pictures. I take photos of people, streets, flowers, eateries, drawing rooms, tombs, landscapes, buses, colleges, Sufi shrines, trees, animals, autos, libraries, birds,…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Shibani Bedi, Kailash Colony
The 85th death. [Text by Shibani Bedi; photo by Sonam Sharma] Here lies Shibani Bedi, sprawled between her achievements and regrets. Her most common refrain was: “I feel like a life less lived, lost in the universe, trapped in non-conformist…
Netherfield Ball – Colors of Life-15 Bash, India Habitat Center
The party secrets. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Are rules beginning to relax? Delhi’s art world is opening to the idea of samosas with unlimited beer. One breezy evening The Delhi Walla attended the inaugural bash of Colors…
Delhi Archives – Gay Delhi, Around Town
[Digging out old stories from The Delhi Walla] In December 2013, India’s Supreme Court pronounced that gay sex is illegal. It has been a long journey for gay people in Delhi and across the country. “Looking for chubby bottoms.” “Looking…
City Moment – The Little Girl’s Hijab, Jamia Nagar
The remarkable Delhi instant. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The little girl could hardly be ten. The Delhi Walla saw her in a bazaar in Jamia Nagar. Her head was covered with a black scarf. She was with…
City Life – Love Letters, Scrap Dealer’s Home, Old Delhi
Life in mails. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] One afternoon, in a raddiwala’s (scrap dealer’s) home in Old Delhi, The Delhi Walla discovered a polythene bag filled with letters and picture postcards. The envelopes had the addresses of…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Sheema Mookherjee, Kanha
The 84th death. [Text by Sheema Mookherjee; photo by Jhampan Mookerjee] Sheema Mookherjee was found departed on a planter’s chair in her verandah at Kanha, Madhya Pradesh. The forest spirits had come and collected her soul. She had just finished…
City Notice – Intern Wanted for The Delhi Walla Website
Seeking assistance for special projects. [Text by Mayank Austen Soofi; photo by Marina Bang] The Delhi Walla is (willingly) spending too much of his time with Marcel Proust. It leaves him with not enough hours to do all he wants…
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