Mission Delhi – Masooban, Chelmsford Road
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] A turbaned artist is beating the nagada. Another is playing the shehnai. Both performers are directing their music straight into Masooban’s ear. Their solo audience…
City Hangout – Jama Masjid in Twilight, Gurgaon
The magic of changing light. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It is possible to travel by staying still. One way to do this is by lingering long at the Jama Masjid in Gurgaon’s Sadar Bazar. The small edifice…
City Landmark – Pari Selfie Point, Mathura Road
A new landmark. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Is it a flapping of wings? Or are these the limbs of a friendly octopus? This metallic installation is the latest landmark of the capital, here on Mathura Road. A…
Mission Delhi – Rukhsana, Central Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The road is teeming with afternoon traffic. The pavement, here in central Delhi, has a small plastic mat sprawled along it. A child is sitting…
Delhi’s Proust Questionnaire – Nameer Alvi, Pahari Rajaan
The parlour confession. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] He is 21 and his mother calls him “mera achha wala beta,” my good son. Youngest of three brothers and a sister, he is the only one to go out of his way…
City Hangout – India Gate & Central Vista, Central Delhi
A new era. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The hat-wearing lady in sari poses with her family for photographer Vijay Babu (150 rupees for a single print in two minutes). The background is India Gate. This will be…
Mission Delhi – Balvindra, Gurgaon
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It does resemble something familiar, something that is occasionally featured as a curiosity piece in travel magazines. Oh yes, it looks like one of those…
City Home – Ruined Bungalow, Somewhere in Delhi
A deserted home. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The metal gate is splotched with red dots of rust. The pane-less windows on the first floor stare out like open wounds. Cobwebs are hanging from window grills. It is…
City Walk – Galli Sham Lal Street, Old Delhi
World of a street. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It is like being in a crowd, and suddenly everyone disappears — except you. This is what stepping into Gali Sham Lal feels like. Firmly keeping the boisterousness of…
Delhi Joyceans – The Delhi Walla’s Speech on Bloomsday, 2022, at the Irish Ambassador’s Residence, Sardar Patel Marg
Text of The Delhi Walla’s speech delivered at the Irish ambassador’s New Delhi residence on June 16. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Dear friends, whether we are “Stately, plump” or not, whether we are Dubliners or not, Happy…
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