City Moment – Music, Food, Friends, Mobile Phone at Author Sadia Dehlvi’s Drawing Room, H. Nizamuddin East Moments by The Delhi Walla - January 2, 20172 The memorable instant. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It was the late afternoon of the last day of the last year. The drawing room was filled with guests--many of these elegant people had their eyes closed, their feet rhythmically tapping on the carpeted floor. The Delhi Walla was at author Sadia Dehlvi’s apartment in Hazrat Nizamuddin East. A classical music concert was in progress. Dhrupad singer Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar was performing along with friends. The troupe included Arman Ali, Ms Dehlvi’s musician son. “It is Arman’s birthday today,” gushed Ms Dehlvi, while taking pictures on her mobile phone. “Isn’t this a beautiful way to celebrate the year’s final day?” The concert ended after a few minutes. Ms Dehlvi, who is
City Monument – Khirki Mosque, Opposite MGF Mall, Saket Monuments by The Delhi Walla - January 2, 20173 Delhi’s romantic ruin. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] With its blackened walls, collapsed domes, and a covered hall in which natural light plays hide and seek, this is Delhi’s most romantic ruin. One of the seven mosques built in the 1370s by Khan-i-Jahan Junan Shah, prime minister to ruler Feroz Shah Tughlaq, the double-storeyed marvel got its name from the red sandstone grilled windows, or khirkis, that line its walls. A domed sloping tower guards each of the four corners. Tapering minarets flank the domed gateways at the centre of each side. The pillared hall, with 25 squares, is the highlight. A visually delicious jumble of arches and domes, it takes its dim light from the khirkis, as well as four