Delhi’s Proust Questionnaire – Susana Zarco, Rajokri
The parlour confession. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] She reads poetry and makes her own dresses. The Lisbon-born Susana Zarco walks into her drawing room, looking like a woman in a Vermeer painting. She designed this white-and-blue gown from a cotton…
City Landmark – Dharmender Kumar Soni’s Goldsmith Workshop, Nai Basti
Of slow time. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] So tiny, so pretty—these objects, piled up on the mantlepiece. While a large wooden board adorned with an array of rings and pendants invite a second look for their delicate…
Mission Delhi – Arman, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti
One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] The mask hawker isn’t pushy at all. He quietly follows a passerby, and upon catching the attention, politely asks if the person would be interested in buying a…
City Life – Migrants Going Home, Gurgaon Railway Station
Big city disappointment. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Blue denim jeans, small enough to be of a child. A pair of white pajamas. A red lehenga with golden border. A blue sari with white polka dots. These are…
Mission Delhi – Manglu, Near Ashram Flyover
One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] His robe is saffron. His turban is black. His beard is white. His nails are long. But it is his gaze that is the most formidable aspect of…
City Hangout – Meena Bazar, Old Delhi
The Other Chandni Chowk. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] These days people are composing new ballads for Chandni Chowk. The refurbished avenue has become more pedestrian-friendly for the Walled City aficionados. The change is believed to have accentuated…
Mission Delhi – Mukesh Kumar, Near Gurgaon Railway Station
One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] His left hand has a ring on almost every finger. Some fingers have more than one ring. “These are for good luck,” says Mukesh Kumar. “And yet I’m…
Mission Delhi – Raibul Nadaf , Sarai Kale Khan
One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] Late night. The vegetable vendors are gone. The Mother Dairy booth has downed its shutters. The homeless brown dog is sleeping. The cold smoggy air is making the…
City Food – Piyush’s Chhole Kulche, Ghaziabad
The taste of the new world. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] A full modular kitchen. Designer bathroom. Unique private theatre. Steam and sauna. Bowling alley. A luxurious lifestyle. These words, accompanied with supporting photos, make up a large…
Mission Delhi – Naeem, Chawri Bazar
One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] Crickets are singing. The water is lapping by the shore. This is the lake isle of Innisfree. The dependable Wikipedia locates it in Ireland. While the aforementioned description…
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