City Reading – The Delhi Proustians XXI, Jama Masjid Stairs

A la recherche du temps perdu. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Today is the 21st meeting of The Delhi Proustians, a club for Delhiwallas that discusses French novelist Marcel Proust. Every Monday evening for an hour we read…

City Culture – De Bhasar, Aurobindo Marg

The philosophy of nonsense. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] ‘Israel we hate you.’ The Delhi Walla saw this calligraphy by an unknown Bhasarian artist in Aurobindo Marg, a road in south Delhi. It is depicted on the boundary…

Mission Delhi - Lobsang Dorji Hayer, Majnu ka Teela

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Drawing himself forward, he says, “On my passport, I’m an Indian because my father is from Himanchal Pradesh, but my heart beats for Tibet.” The…

City Reading – The Delhi Proustians XX, Café Turtle

A la recherche du temps perdu. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Today is the 20th meeting of The Delhi Proustians, a club for Delhiwallas that discusses French novelist Marcel Proust. Every Monday evening for an hour we read…

City Food – Honey & Fig Ice Cream, India International Centre

The choice of the intellectuals. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] This is a special dish in Delhi’s most exclusive cultural space. The honey & fig ice cream is made for the members-only dining room of the Indian International…

City Sighting - Arundhati Roy, Near Khanna Market

Ammu and Amaltas. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] One summer evening The Delhi Walla sighted his most beloved Delhiite – author Arundhati Roy. She was standing under an Amaltas tree, close to Khanna Market, an un-posh bazaar in…

City Travel – Shatabdi Express, New Delhi-Jhansi

India’s fastest train. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] There is a stench of urine, and cockroaches and rats scurrying around. It is 6.05 am. At the New Delhi railway station, the Bhopal Shatabdi Express is on platform No.1,…

City Notice – The Delhi Proustians, 20th Meeting

A la recherche du temps perdu. [Photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The 20th meeting of The Delhi Proustians, a club for Delhiwallas that discusses French novelist Marcel Proust, will take place on 28 May 2012. Venue: Cafe Turtle, Khan Market….

Mission Delhi – Bimal, K.K. Birla Lane

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] No birds in the sandy sky. The previous day Delhi recorded the highest temperature for the season. “If it gets very hot, I feel tempted…

The Biographical Dictionary of Delhi – Muhammad Shah Rangila, b. Fatehpur Sikri, 1702-1748

The definitive directory of famous Delhiites. [Text by Mayank Austen Soofi; pictures given by Asia Society and British Library] He was born in Fatehpur Sikri, a former Mughal capital. Crowned at the age of 17 by the scheming Sayyid brothers,…