Mission Delhi – Sharib, Kamra Bangash
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] First, he plotted an escape from his Old Delhi. Then, he plotted a return. Sharib, 29, draws an arch of his eventful round journey. “My…
City Landmark – Plaza Amphitheatre, Basant Lok Market
Today with yesterdays. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Sail boats in the harbour. Their white sails arrayed beside each other—see photo. But there’s no hulk, no deck, no mast, no river. No boats either. The sail-like objects are…
Mission Delhi – Kabeer, Chitli Qabar Chowk
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Footstep sounds. At once blood rushes up his brains. He jumps off the bed, flees the room, rockets through the tiny sehan, locking himself into…
City Hangout – Foot-Over Bridges of Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Gurgaon
The bridges of highway county. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] So you too reach out for the tissue paper while watching reruns of Meryl Streep’s The Bridges of Madison County? That evergreen tearjerker is an adaptation of Robert…
City Walk – Jama Masjid Road, Old Delhi
A way of mixed feelings. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The setting sun has made the sky incarnadine. Or, is the sandstone minar turning the sky red? Tall and utterly alone, suspended in the thin air, this lean…
City Home – A Fifth Floor Roof, Sukhdev Vihar
Seeing the city. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] If only you can sneak into this art gallery to visit the tapestry embroidered with a panorama of our city. At first, it looks merely a messy maze of roofs,…
City Life – Peacock Sighting, Mausam Bhawan & Elsewhere
In search of beauty. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Wow, this one’s costume more dazzling than even Rihanna’s oversized hooded camellia covered Valentino cape at the Met Galla red carpet. Conservation architect Ratish Nanda just spotted the super-stylish…
City Food – “Hate Sherbet”, Somewhere in Delhi
A drink with an odd name. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The noon is white hot, and the tempting stall on the rutty pave is hawking more than one kind of cool summertime sherbet. The cloth banner behind…
Mission Delhi – Yaseen Salmani, Fasil Road
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Old Delhi has the word ‘old’ married to it but is constantly being rejuvenated with the new. Three months back, young Vipin Pande arrived from…
City Landmark – Pushkin’s Statue, Mandi House
Pushkin in the time of war. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The poet’s long coat is unbuttoned, his thoughtful arms crossed on the back, his inward gaze turned towards the speeding autos. Only three poets adorn the baggy…
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