Mission Delhi – Benjamin Haswell, Central Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Fanciful tattoos abound, don’t they? Some folks have gods embedded into their arms, or even the names of their parents. These days hipsters often show…
Our Self-Written Obituaries – Neeraja Anupama, Calicut, Kerala
The 250th death. [Text and photos sent by Neeraja Anupama] Neeraja Anupama, 27, passed away this evening like the death of a laughter. Dying down in the voices of others. Slowly like a fading sunset but beautiful. Painless, beside her…
Mission Delhi – Neelesh Kumar, Gurgaon
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Whether alone or in company, everyone is looking stressed in this Gurgaon public garden in the Greater Delhi Region. But not gardener Neelesh Kumar. Standing…
City Walk – E Block, Greater Kailash Enclave
Occupy South Delhi Movement. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The lanes are tidier and even the air feels less poisonous. Of course, it has to be one of those South Delhi neighbourhoods where lucky residents can live out…
City Landmark – Choudhary Kishan Lal Jutti Shop, Jacobpura, Gurgaon
Shoes of a different kind. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] You won’t spot such a place in the fanciest of malls. Nor is it easy to find it elsewhere. A shoe shop in Gurgaon’s Jacobpura in the Greater…
City Library – Krishna Prasad Jain’s Books, Vasant Vihar
A vanishing world. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Here you shall find Milan Kundera’s classic novel personally inscribed by him. Also the first edition of Midnight Children, duly signed by Salman Rushdie. Krishna Prasad Jain, 80, owns this…
Mission Delhi – Chanda, N Block, Outer Circle, Connaught Place
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Delhi literally teems with scores of very important people (VIPs). Meeting even 1% of them would be the achievement of a lifetime. Far easier, but…
Delhi’s Proust Questionnaire – Artist Gauri Gill, Hazrat Nizamuddin East and Surroundings
The parlour confession. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The Proust Questionnaire represents a confessional game that owes its structure to answers given by celebrated French writer Marcel Proust in two parties that he attended at ages 13 and…
Mission Delhi – Shyam Lal, Paharganj
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s only noontime, but even so. Construction labourer Shyam Lal has dozed off by the pavement. How he can sleep at all is anyone’s guess,…
Mission Delhi – Monica Bizira, Sector 5, Gurgaon
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] She is a woman with decided views. “This Indian culture!” exclaims Monica Bizira in an exasperated tone. “It’s a punishment to be a woman in…
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