Delhi’s Proust Questionnaire – Michelle Sanya Tirkey, Not in West Delhi
The parlour confession. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] She lives in west Delhi’s Janakpuri and admits of having a problem with west Delhi. “It has to do with the way this part of the city is laid out. I cannot just…
City Monument – Unknown Grave, Mehrauli
Grave beauty. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It is like somebody’s dense handwritten journal lying open on the table, with a twig of leaves serving as bookmark. This sculpted piece of marble, adorned with a tiny neem fragment…
City Hangout – Asaf Ali’s Statue, Near Dilli Gate
A place like no other. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] This day, last year: hundreds of pigeons around freedom fighter Asaf Ali’s statue. This day, this year: hundreds of pigeons still around the same statue. Yet, the place…
City Season – Cloud Watching, Around Town
Cloud spotter’s guide. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The sky upon a rutty lane in Noida’s Sector 15A splintered into hundreds of cumulus clouds, as if the milk curdled. While in Hazrat Nizamuddin East, the historic Humayun Tomb…
City Walk – Shah Abul Khair, Old Delhi
World of a street. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Sometimes a lone man might be sitting by the grand doorway, watching the passerby go along the street. Sometimes, there’s a crowd of idle men. From 1 pm to…
Mission Delhi – Arvind, Adhchini
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The houses are withdrawn into shut doors and lidded windows. The lane is utterly silent, here in south Delhi’s Adhchini village. The pathway is empty…
City Walk – Lohe Wala Pul, Daryaganj
A vanished world. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] What if Delhi disappears. Will the land where it stood still be known as Delhi? This is precisely the posthumous destiny of Lohe Wala Pul, the foot-over bridge of loha,…
City Hangout – Gate No. 1, Jama Masjid Metro Station
An accidental refuge. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The cold blast hits you as soon as you enter the foyer. The sweat on your skin instantly dissipates. It is like steppping inside the lobby of a 5-star hotel…
Mission Delhi – Sona, Vasundhara
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] He is looking at a face. The face is looking back at him. Does he realise it is his own reflection in the rain puddle?…
City Walk – Golcha Cinema, Old Delhi
World of a street. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Despite being a mere courtesan, Anarkali dares Emperor Akbar with a spunky dance. The lyrics of the song are so seditious that the audience get up from their seat…
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