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 working on her ambitious culinary memoirs, called all her guests to get up for lunch. The table was laid with various delicacies prepared in the hostess’s kitchen. Some of the dishes included aloo saalan, dahi vada, peas pulao, white mash ki daal and palak subzi, the last was brought by a friend. As guests began to dig their fingers into the curries and rice, the distracted Ms Dehlvi again occupied herself with her phone–she was posting a picture of her son with Ustad Dagar on Facebook. It was a beautiful moment.

The year-end scenes

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