City Faith - Gurudwara Damdama Sahib, Near Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station

City Faith – Gurudwara Damdama Sahib, Near Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station

Sacred serenity. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] On this mildly cool afternoon the utterly peaceful world here at Gurudwara Damdama Sahib seems in perfect harmony with the creation. The air is filled with bird sounds, the tree leaves…

Our Self-Written Obituaries - Abhishek Basu, Tatanagar

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Abhishek Basu, Tatanagar

The 253rd death. [Text by Abhishek Basu; photo by Joyona Medhi] He would spend his nights traveling. That’s how he’d reduce expenses. It was bound to happen, said the late photographer’s neighbour who wishes to remain anonymous. All of Jamshedpur’s…

Mission Delhi - Kaushalya Devi, Sector 18, Gurgaon

Mission Delhi – Kaushalya Devi, Sector 18, Gurgaon

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Kaushalya Devi is 55. A grandmother living in Gurgaon’s Sector 18 in the Greater Delhi Region, she says “My life is now without a care…

City Hangout - Chairs, Sunder Nursery Park

City Hangout – Chairs, Sunder Nursery Park

Stuff for memories. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The sprawling Sunder Nursery Park is not only renowned for centuries-old edifices and expansive grassy grounds. This heritage landmark is now beginning to be known for something unusual in a…

Our Self-Written Obituaries - Anubhi Chandola, Mussoorie

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Anubhi Chandola, Mussoorie

The 252nd death. [Text and photo sent by Anubhi Chandola] In a distant and cold Himalayan town, Anubhi Chandola breathed her last, cuddled in her favorite green blanket with eyes staring nonchalantly at the wooden ceiling above. On the table…

Mission Delhi - Ram Bahadur, Jangpura

Mission Delhi – Ram Bahadur, Jangpura

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Bhagwan Ram is embedded in the very fabric of this food hawker’s life. Let’s start with his name—Ram Bahadur, meaning Ram the brave. He sells…

City Food - Mrs Balbir Singh's Cooking, City Heritage

City Food – Mrs Balbir Singh’s Cooking, City Heritage

Story of Delhi cuisine. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] In 1973, the Delhi-born award-winning actor Madhur Jaffrey immortalised her name in the world of international cuisine with her debut book. An Invitation to Indian Cooking subtitled Classic Indian…

Our Self-Written Obituaries - Sharda Mutha, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Sharda Mutha, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

The 251st death. [Text and photos sent by Sharda Mutha] There she was, in a small bright house that stood around the corner of a hill, visible like the fake-diamond piercing through her hair. It was a clouded afternoon, and…

Atget’s Corner – 1141-1145, Delhi Photos

Atget’s Corner – 1141-1145, 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,…

City Landmark - Sibu Unisex Hair Cutting Salon, Palam Vihar, Gurgaon

City Landmark – Sibu Unisex Hair Cutting Salon, Palam Vihar, Gurgaon

A cool parlour. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Roadside hair stylist shops are like roadside chai shops—full of atmosphere even in their raggedness. Each establishment, along with its owner, staffers and customers tells so much about the locality…