Julia Child in Delhi – Longtime Family Cook, Amma, Makes Her Narangi Rice, South Delhi
The great chef’s life in Delhi. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Old-time family cooks don’t fuss about their employer’s guests — The Delhi Walla‘s experience. They are so prized by the family, so entwined into its affairs, that…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Prachi Bhutada, Pune
The 165th death. [Text by Prachi Bhutada; photos by Anand Desai] Prachi Bhutada wanted to be everything. What she ended up being was: too much. Of that she was embarrassed, you could tell. She was loud, like her grandmother. She…
City Monument – A Ruined Mansion, Pahari Bhojla, Old Delhi
Remains of a vanished world. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Their numbers dwindle with each passing year, which is understandable. Old derelict homes do collapse after decades of benign neglect. But this is more than merely sad —…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Ayushi Shah, Mumbai
The 164th death. [Text and photos sent by Ayushi Shah] Ayushi Shah is no more. Not a shocker though, as she thought growing older was stress inducing and she survived 20 only by calling it ‘twenteen’. After all, like her…
City Food – Ghar Ka Khana Platter, India International Center
Homely khana for the elite. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Why would anybody anybody go to a restaurant just to eat home cooking? But that’s exactly one of the items listed in the menu at the elite India…
Delhi’s Bandaged Heart – Vidya Singh, Ghaziabad
Poetry in the city. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] So many of us dream of becoming writers. Mostly it just remains a dream. But not in Vidya Singh’s case. Last year, this 77-year-old poet became the author of…
Mission Delhi – Mohit Jain, Balbir Nagar Extension
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The neighbours are sniggering. Even his parents sometimes wonder…. Wondering why their grown-up son has crammed so many novels and poetry books into his tiny…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Vindhya Vatsyayan, Mehrauli
The 163rd death. [Text by Vindhya Vatsyayan, photos by Suneel and Shubham Vatsyayan] She had a big smile with bigger teeth. Vindhya Vatsyayan always wanted to knock on random doors and ask what’s your story. Last night around 11:34 when…
City Moment – A Rickshaw Puller’s Business Negotiations, Central Delhi
The memorable instant. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] If rickshaws could talk, they would sometimes protest. And certainly this poor vehicle has every right to complain. Laden as it is with huge bundles, one on top of the…
City Life – Abdul Kayum’s Radio, Central Delhi
Soulmate melodies. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] This impressive radio resembles something our grandfathers might have owned and cherished. It comes complete with a frequency display and a rexine cover. In fact, the unit is only around 10…
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