City Faith – Ramayan Paath, Sahibabad

Finding peace in the Hindu epic. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Pushpa Singh’s living room in Vasundhara Valley Apartment Society has been turned into a temple. She and her husband, Kshetra Pal, are hosting Ramayan Paath, a continuous…

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Matia Mahal Bazaar. Midnight. Shutters down. Looking up at the delicate latticework of Old Delhi balconies, he suddenly turns back and stands facing the…

It’s too varied. [Text and picture by Mayank Austen Soofi] Delhi may be a city but it is as varied as any country. “We have many Delhis,” says Rakhshanda Jalil, the author of Invisible City. “You’ve these oasis of privileges…

The carefree hours. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] The cop has surrendered. The traffic lights are not working. The scooters, cars and buses are not moving. You are no longer caring for your appointment. This must be the…

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] When sad, Berenice Ellena locks herself in her Jangpura apartment and listens to flamenco songs, Portuguese lamentations or nostalgic Brazilian music. “I love the…

Schmap Madrid Guide has liked The Delhi Walla. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] [One of the several photos taken by The Delhi Walla has been selected for inclusion in the ninth edition of Schmap Madrid Guide. Click here…

Delhi’s red light district is hopeful. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] GB Road, Delhi’s red light district, is all gratitude to the Indian Supreme Court. “We are so happy,” says Ms Nasreen, a sex worker. On December 9th,…

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] He is holding onto the rear bumper of a fast moving auto, the wheels of his low-floor improvised wooden trolley making a clattering noise…

Cracking the city. [Text and picture by Mayank Austen Soofi] You don’t understand a city by its buildings and bazaars, but by its people. That’s why you can’t take in the entire Delhi in one lifetime – we have 13…

She was mobbed by admirers. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] There was no wine, no cheese. Yet it was a full house at the 600-seater Ansari Auditorium at Jamia Millia Islamia University. A day after her 48th birthday,…