Mission Delhi – Rajesh, Mathura Road
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Isn’t Rajesh a man’s name? Rajesh shrugs her shoulders. “My parents named me Rajesh, I don’t know why,” she says sombrely, admitting in a surprised…
City Landmark – Muhammad Ateek Chawbiwale, Tiraha Behram Khan
The key man. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s like discovering all the passwords of your online existence copy-pasted into a stranger’s laptop. Such is the alarm one feels on coming face-to-face with hundreds of keys hanging in…
City Food – Shekhar Chai, Anand Vihar
The 24/7 tea stall. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Here’s a persuasive reason to patronise a pavement chai place. The owner is so committed to his stall that he has its name tattooed on his arm. Shekhar Chai…
Mission Delhi – Unnamed Monkey, Hazrat Chirag Dehlavi’s Sufi Shrine
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] He has no known friends or relatives. Utterly alone, he seems to prefer his own company. This unnamed monkey lives in the dargah of Hazrat…
Mission Delhi – Rupkesh Kumar, Central Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It was a brief sleep, and a deep sleep. And a rare occurrence, for Rupkesh Kumar, 53, never sleeps during the day. But this late…
City Landmark – Old Doorway, Sadar Bazar, Gurgaon
A leftover beauty. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Eighteen little squares are sculpted into each of the door’s two kiwaars, the shutters. A metallic chain is attached at the top. The side jambs—the chaukhat—are carved with intricate patterns….
Mission Delhi – Mangey Ram, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Mark the scene carefully. You rarely see it these days. Here’s the low table. It’s covered with a mat. Six small glass bottles are arranged…
City Walk – Red Fort’s Backside, Ring Road
A different perspective. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Great stories, they say, can also be told backwards, or sideways. Like the Red Fort. You must have seen the Mughal-era monument in all its red glory—the sandstone ramparts spread…
City Landmark – Siri Fort Auditorium, South Delhi
Out of time. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] When icons fall out of use, what shall we turn them into? Named after a centuries-old ruin, the iconic Siri Fort Auditorium is lying in ruins, metaphorically speaking. This afternoon,…
Home Sweet Home – Muhammed Mintullah, Hazrat Nizamuddin East
Dwellers in a posh neighbourhood. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The daughter of the last nawab of Rampur resides in this neighbourhood. Author Vikram Seth has an apartment here. A neighbouring flat belongs to former Jammu & Kashmir…
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