Mayank Austen Soofi is a writer-snapper trying to capture Delhi by heart.
Articles by Mayank Austen Soofi
Delhiwale: ‘Wah wah, ati sundar!’
Every second Saturday, Ghalib Academy in Delhi hosts a poetry recital with free chai and samosas, welcoming poets from diverse backgrounds.
Updated on Sep 25, 2024 05:54 AM IST
Delhiwale: 5 ways of looking at Lodhi Garden
Lodhi Garden in Delhi features 12 gates, each offering unique perspectives and experiences, from picturesque views to serene spots for relaxation.
Updated on Sep 24, 2024 06:26 AM IST
Delhiwale: The Main Bazar door
A historic stone doorway in Paharganj contrasts with modern life, echoing memories of a former school, yet remains a fragile architectural gem.
Updated on Sep 23, 2024 05:08 AM IST
Delhiwale: The world from Kamran’s roof
Kamran reflects on his family's traditional home in the Walled City, feeling a deep calm on the roof, soon to be replaced by modern construction.
Updated on Sep 19, 2024 05:22 AM IST
Delhiwale: A mysterious CP showroom
Discover a mysterious, nearly century-old showroom in Connaught Place that sells nothing, yet holds deep historical significance and unique charm.
Updated on Sep 18, 2024 07:52 AM IST
Delhiwale: Notes from a park
Masjid Udyan in Gurugram, once bare, now features trees and a diverse crowd, from laborers to hawkers, reflecting both hope and hardship.
Updated on Sep 17, 2024 05:30 AM IST
Delhiwale: Ambassador’s room
Diana Mickevičienė returns to a Delhi hotel room 30 years later, reminiscing about her first diplomatic visit and the memories it holds.
Updated on Sep 16, 2024 05:52 AM IST
Delhiwale: This way to Anglo Arabic Senior Secondary
The Anglo Arabic Senior Secondary School in Old Delhi showcases exquisite jaalis and rich history, blending education with architectural beauty.
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 06:24 AM IST
Delhiwale: Galiyan cricket wali
In Old Delhi's BMMTA Cup, six standout cricketers shine amid local teams, showcasing talent in a bustling community tournament. Apex wins the title.
Updated on Sep 13, 2024 06:18 AM IST
Delhiwale: Lest we forget
Rupen Katyal, a martyr of the IC 814 hijacking, is honored in Gurugram. Many roads in Delhi-NCR commemorate heroes, blending history with local identity.
Updated on Sep 11, 2024 05:26 AM IST
Delhiwale: A gate by the village
Chirag Delhi village's historic gateway endures amidst modern change, blending daily life with its architectural past, as locals seek shelter from rain.
Updated on Sep 10, 2024 05:34 AM IST
Delhiwale: A G20 monument
Two butterflies fly over a G20 installation in Delhi’s M Block Market park, surrounded by flags and greenery, as sunlight creates a magical ambiance.
Updated on Sep 09, 2024 06:40 AM IST
Delhiwale: This way to Tiraha Bairam Khan
Tiraha Bairam Khan, a vibrant Old Delhi intersection, blends history with daily life, featuring diverse stalls and a towering peepal tree.
Updated on Sep 07, 2024 05:46 AM IST
Delhiwale: When the subways were cool
Connaught Place's subways, once vibrant with music and art, now face neglect. A private agency will be hired to improve their condition.
Updated on Sep 06, 2024 05:24 AM IST
Delhiwale: The Sunday Book Bazar icon
The venerable Asha is not only among the longest surviving booksellers in the market (30 years and counting!), but also its first woman bookseller (the market today has only three women booksellers)
Updated on Sep 05, 2024 05:46 AM IST
Delhiwale: Four chai drinkers
At a workshop in Old Delhi, four carpenters share tea and reflect on life, family, and the challenges of their trade amid a close-knit bond.
Updated on Sep 04, 2024 06:10 AM IST
Delhiwale: Saqlain and Chand
Tonight, Delhi’s famous sufi shrine celebrates Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulya’s 810th birthday with qawwalis. Rival qawwal families, Nizami Bandhus and Nizami Khusro Bandhus, will perform.
Updated on Sep 03, 2024 05:40 AM IST
Delhiwale: New citizen checks in
Saurabh, 23, a recent Commerce postgraduate from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, now works as a guard in Delhi. He moved to the city seeking better opportunities.
Updated on Sep 02, 2024 04:15 PM IST
Delhiwale: This way to Excelsior
Excelsior, a closed cinema in Old Delhi, occupies the site of Hakim Ahsanullah Khan's haveli. The theater, open since 1938, is hidden behind cables and grime.
Updated on Aug 31, 2024 05:08 AM IST
Delhiwale: Rat race in the metropolis
In Gurugram's Sadar Bazar, street hawkers like Seeshpal, Ramesh, Rajkumar, and Rajesh sell rat poison, displaying banners with various pests. Rat poison hawkers are less common in Delhi.
Updated on Aug 29, 2024 10:37 PM IST
Delhiwale: Jalebi walkathon
Explore Delhi's best jalebi spots, from the iconic Old Famous Jalebi Wala in Chandni Chowk to lesser-known gems like Aggarwal Sweets in Mehrauli. Each offers unique twists!
Updated on Aug 29, 2024 06:24 AM IST
Delhiwale: Delhi’s weirdest dome
Rahim's tomb in Delhi has a partially restored marble dome, sparking debate on conservation efforts. The restoration aimed to stabilize and suggest the original look.
Updated on Aug 29, 2024 06:14 AM IST
Delhiwale: Investigating past summers
Sharif Manzil, a 304-year-old historic residence in Old Delhi, recalls its rich past and changing summers, with its patriarch reminiscing about old cooling methods.
Updated on Aug 29, 2024 06:08 AM IST
Delhiwale: Passing of a citizen
Shehzad mourns his wife Salma, the family breadwinner, who died on August 20. Despite hardships, he now sells digestives in Old Delhi, hoping to find a photo of her.
Updated on Aug 26, 2024 10:37 AM IST
Delhiwale: This way to Gali Lal Darwaza
Explore Gali Lal Darwaza in Old Delhi, featuring vibrant doorways, traditional and modern elements, and a popular paan stall run by Anil, inherited from his father.
Updated on Aug 24, 2024 05:12 AM IST
Delhiwale: Bazar’s tea pot chai
Lalchand’s tea stall in Old Delhi’s Chawri Bazar has thrived since 1974 despite many closures around it, offering a stable spot for diverse patrons amidst a changing cityscape.
Updated on Aug 23, 2024 05:26 AM IST
Delhiwale: Sarmad and Azad
Maulana Azad and Sarmad Shahid's nearby tombs outside Old Delhi’s Jama Masjid reflect India's history; Azad admired Sarmad’s mystic, inclusive philosophy.
Updated on Aug 22, 2024 05:24 AM IST
Delhiwale: The constant urban companion
Old Delhi cherishes pigeons, while suburban Ghaziabad sees them as nuisances, offering protective jaalis. Yet, pigeons thrive in both areas, often fed by locals.
Updated on Aug 21, 2024 06:14 AM IST
Delhiwale: Man of time
Javed Khan sells and repairs secondhand watches in Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti. He values honesty, deep friendships, and dreams of living in a bungalow. His motto: Respect time.
Updated on Aug 20, 2024 05:56 AM IST
Delhiwale: Future’s bookstore
Lakshmi Book Store in Connaught Place, specializing in occult sciences, limits customer visits to 15 minutes, a rule from Covid times. Founded in 1951, it thrives under Ashim's stewardship.
Updated on Aug 19, 2024 06:08 AM IST