Home Sweet Home – Nizamuddin & Others, Jama Masjid
Housing on the pave. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] They literally live in the shadow of the Jama Masjid. Right under the Mughal-era monument’s west-facing wall, towards which the attendees inside the mosque offer their prayers. This late…
City Hangout – Muhammed Irfan’s Chai Stall, Outside Jama Masjid
Chai with a view. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The sun is rising behind the distant Red Fort. Its grainy golden shine is falling softly on the centuries-old stone steps of Jama Masjid (gate no. 3). Oblivious to…
Mission Delhi – Vikas, Gurgaon Bus Stand
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are. That’s the famous saying of Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. The legendary French gourmand…
City Landmark – Notary Clerks’ Cubicles, Asaf Ali Marg
A Chekhovian world. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] 7 am. Tables are being put out, chairs are being unfolded. Along the corridor where the pedestrians walk. And also along the roadside. It is like a pavement cafe opening…
City Food – Moradabadi Biryani, Around Town
Battle of the biryanis. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] They had it coming. Big powers squabble among themselves only to lose out to smaller ones. Take megacities like Delhi, Calcutta and Hyderabad. They are forever fighting over whose…
Mission Delhi – Muhammed Aaqib, Around Town
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Nobody is accusing Muhammed Aaqib of being ungrateful to his adopted city. It’s just that he is too partial to Nagina, his home town in…
Mission Delhi – Parash Ram, Hazrat Nizamuddin East
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s Raksha Bandhan festival and Parash Ram is wondering what if he were in his village in Lalitpur, MP, this day. “My sister, Preeti, would…
City Hangout – 7 pm Monsoon Sky, Barakhamba Traffic Light
Season in the city. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The evening sky is stained in pale but pellucid pink. Such a gauzy shade materialises only by the chance entwining of the monsoon clouds with the setting sun. Meanwhile,…
City Food – Fresh Fruit ‘Roller’ Ice-Cream, Mathura Road
Too much natural. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] A moderate crowd of idle pedestrians have gathered about the cart. Their faces are full of wonder. This so-called ice-cream is looking so different from the factory-manufactured nutty-buddy and chocolate-chip….
Mission Delhi – Ramesh Kumar, Chitli Qabar Chowk
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Mobile phone has become as necessary as oxygen. Everybody seems to need it. Not Ramesh Kumar. Even though, he says, he earns enough money as…
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