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Mayank Austen Soofi

Mayank Austen Soofi is a writer-snapper trying to capture Delhi by heart.

Articles by Mayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Mukesh’s inheritance

In Delhi's summer, traditional shikanji vendors use manual machines to create icy drinks, blending heritage with modern entrepreneurship.

Delhi

Published on May 06, 2025 06:24 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Sealed with a love

Inscriptions in used books evoke stories of love and loss, revealing personal connections and histories at Delhi's Sunday Book Bazar.

Delhi

Published on May 05, 2025 06:06 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: This way to Mohalla Niyaryan, part 2

Mohalla Niyaryan, a real street in Delhi, contrasts with its fictional portrayal in Ahmad Ali's "Twilight in Delhi," showcasing vibrant life today.

The resigned goat tethered to Rafi Medicos. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on May 03, 2025 06:00 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Dante’s CP, last circle

Delhi's Connaught Place Outer Circle offers a blend of history, nostalgia, and lively cafés, marking the end of a journey through its four distinct circles.

The fourth circle of Connaught Place has its colonnade dutifully interspersed with points of hyper-liveliness, comprising cafés and restaurants. (HT)

Delhi

Published on May 02, 2025 05:20 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Portrait of a citizen

Hadees, a rickshaw puller, shares his life struggles and dreams, highlighting his desire for a better future and the simple joys he cherishes.

In the afternoon heat of late April, Hadees, a rickshaw puller, is waiting for his next customer. (HT)

Delhi

Published on Apr 30, 2025 05:38 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: ‘Summer burns, but petals stay’

Amaltas flowers bloom in Delhi, offering a soothing golden glow amidst summer heat, with iconic spots showcasing their beauty throughout the city.

Delhi

Published on Apr 29, 2025 05:42 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Where the stones give no sound of water

Tughlaqabad Fort's baoli is stark and desolate, contrasting with idealized step-wells, offering a glimpse into its austere past and harsh summers.

Tughlaqabad Fort’s baoli might have given a similar sort of relief, but that must have been hundreds of years ago. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Apr 28, 2025 05:18 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale:This way to Mohalla Niyaryan, part 1

Mohalla Niyaryan in Old Delhi, featured in Ahmad Ali's "Twilight in Delhi," blends fiction and reality, echoing the street's vibrant life today.

Stall owner Asif Mobile Wale. (HT Photo)

Other Cities

Published on Apr 26, 2025 05:16 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Painting a painter’s Dilli

Maqbool Fida Husain's legacy in Delhi is celebrated this year as his 110th birth anniversary highlights his artistic journey and influence on the city.

Clockwise from left: Bhomik, Tahoora, Shaibar, Aliza, Deeksha, Monika, Aqs, Muzammil, Varun, Belal, Saurav, Vikas, Raqib, and their assistant professor, Surangini Sharma. (HT)

Delhi

Published on Apr 25, 2025 05:44 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Dante’s CP, third circle

Delhi's Connaught Place features four circles, each with unique sights. The Middle Circle, despite renovations, retains a desolate charm with its peeling walls and forgotten shops.

A massive facade is pockmarked with broken windows; one is choked up with bricks. While in another block, a shuttered shopfront is standing profoundly forlorn. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Apr 24, 2025 05:54 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Flames of the season

In Delhi, the vibrant bloom of gulmohar trees brightens April, contrasting with the city's heat, as locals enjoy the striking red flowers.

One gulmohar, currently in notable bloom, stands within the India Gate circle. (HT)

Delhi

Published on Apr 23, 2025 05:22 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: The kanji walla

Shiv Shankar, a Delhi hawker, sells unique kanji made from fermented rye, blending spices, as he navigates the city with his bicycle.

Other Cities

Published on Apr 22, 2025 05:56 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Living with rare editions

Delhi bibliophile Ashok's rare book collection includes historic editions like the Constitution of India and first translations of the Bhagavad Gita.

Delhi

Published on Apr 21, 2025 06:42 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Double qawwalis

Delhi celebrates the Urs of Sufi mystics Hazrat Amir Khusro and Hazrat Hare Bhare Shah, reflecting on their spiritual legacy and cultural significance.

Delhi

Published on Apr 18, 2025 06:14 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: So-so-summertime happiness

In Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin, vendor Jahangir serves rare rollerwali ice cream, a fruity summer delight, before monsoon ends his seasonal treat.

This is actually milk-soaked crushed ice, thickly crusted around a mechanical roller, and flavoured with colourful fruit pulp. (HT)

Delhi

Published on Apr 17, 2025 06:38 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Musical tree

In Delhi's New Friends Colony, a fruit-bearing tree attracts hundreds of birds, creating a vibrant symphony, while life continues below its shade.

The tree stands across the lane from Nathu Sweets in New Friends Colony Community market. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Apr 16, 2025 05:41 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Dante’s CP, second circle

Delhi's Connaught Place offers a nostalgic journey through its Inner Circle, blending memories of the past with vibrant evening performances.

Connaught Place (CP), the colonial-era shopping haven has four concentric circles, each denoting a separate level of experience. (HT)

Delhi

Published on Apr 16, 2025 05:28 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Jaya’s JNU

Jaya Sharma, a JNU PhD student, reflects on her eight-year journey as she prepares to leave her "second home" after submitting her thesis.

Delhi

Published on Apr 15, 2025 05:52 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: The world of Radhe Shyam’s stall

Shyam Tea Stall in Old Delhi stands out with vibrant colors and divine decor, serving chai for 46 years amidst a bustling market atmosphere.

Shyam Tea stall (9am to 6pm daily) takes its name from its owner. (HT)

Delhi

Published on Apr 10, 2025 06:34 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Two lives

Viren and Shaan, friends from East Delhi, bond over food, personality traits, and dreams, sharing their thoughts in a unique Proust Questionnaire.

This warm weekday evening, they are in Connaught Place, silently sitting by the side of a small plaza in Middle Lane, facing the white columns of the colonial-era shopping arcade (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Apr 09, 2025 10:16 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Dante’s CP, first circle

Connaught Place in Delhi features four circles, each offering unique experiences, from serene Central Park to the vibrant Inner Circle, rich in history.

This tree-lined path makes for a leisurely stroll. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Apr 08, 2025 06:20 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Touch wood

A monumental bargad tree in Malcha Marg, Delhi, features massive, intertwined aerial roots and serves as a striking landmark amidst urban life.

A bargad’s aerial root begins like cotton threads that thicken after reaching down to the ground. Once anchored, the roots grow fast, merging together, virtually forming a secondary trunk. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Apr 07, 2025 06:24 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: This way to Motor Market

Old Delhi's Motor Market, behind Jama Masjid, is filled with motor shops and laborers, showcasing a blend of history and bustling activity.

Delhi

Published on Apr 05, 2025 05:28 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Mannu and sattu

Mannu, a daily wage labourer in Delhi, sells refreshing sattu ghol during summer, awaiting more customers as temperatures rise.

One bucket is partially filled with plain water. The other is wrapped in a wet red cloth, filled with sattu ghol, the drink of summertime galis. (HT)

Delhi

Published on Apr 04, 2025 05:24 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: A tale of two colours

In Hauz Khas Village, people enjoy the sunset hues while the park's pilkhan trees display vibrant leaves, signaling the seasonal shift in colors.

Three men chattering, dressed in white, walk under the contrasting pilkhans. (HT)

Delhi

Published on Apr 03, 2025 05:04 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale:A secretive graveyard

The Hijron ka Khanqah in Mehrauli is a Lodhi-era graveyard for transgender people, while a lesser-known graveyard exists in Ghaziabad, also linked to the community.

Delhi

Published on Apr 02, 2025 06:32 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Gambler’s cart

Nizam revives a rare summertime tradition in Delhi with his game-wali kulfi, where customers gamble for icy treats using a pinball setup.

The cart used to be quite common, but has lately become so uncommon that it is now truly a heritage item. (HT)

Delhi

Updated on Mar 31, 2025 11:37 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Portrait of a letter writer

A law student, Parthivi, embraces handwritten letters amidst digital communication, believing they convey deeper emotions and connection.

Parthivi simply writes handwritten letters to friends. (HT)

Delhi

Published on Mar 31, 2025 05:48 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Loner’s corner

Lodhi Garden offers solitude seekers a hidden gem: Sikander Lodhi's tomb, a serene, exclusive spot amidst the bustling city, yet with strict visiting rules.

There is a place in Lodhi Garden that remains relatively empty, although it harbours a monument of considerable significance. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Mar 28, 2025 05:20 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: A tale of two summers

In Old Delhi, Aqil's unique summer sherbet returns yearly, while Anil's lively sugarcane juice stall in Gurugram operates year-round.

This stall has been existing for 75 years. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Mar 27, 2025 03:55 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

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Mayank Austen Soofi

Mayank Austen Soofi is a writer-snapper trying to capture Delhi by heart.

In Delhi's summer, traditional shikanji vendors use manual machines to create icy drinks, blending heritage with modern entrepreneurship.

Inscriptions in used books evoke stories of love and loss, revealing personal connections and histories at Delhi's Sunday Book Bazar.

Mohalla Niyaryan, a real street in Delhi, contrasts with its fictional portrayal in Ahmad Ali's "Twilight in Delhi," showcasing vibrant life today.

Delhi's Connaught Place Outer Circle offers a blend of history, nostalgia, and lively cafés, marking the end of a journey through its four distinct circles.

Hadees, a rickshaw puller, shares his life struggles and dreams, highlighting his desire for a better future and the simple joys he cherishes.

Amaltas flowers bloom in Delhi, offering a soothing golden glow amidst summer heat, with iconic spots showcasing their beauty throughout the city.

Tughlaqabad Fort's baoli is stark and desolate, contrasting with idealized step-wells, offering a glimpse into its austere past and harsh summers.

Mohalla Niyaryan in Old Delhi, featured in Ahmad Ali's "Twilight in Delhi," blends fiction and reality, echoing the street's vibrant life today.

Maqbool Fida Husain's legacy in Delhi is celebrated this year as his 110th birth anniversary highlights his artistic journey and influence on the city.

Delhi's Connaught Place features four circles, each with unique sights. The Middle Circle, despite renovations, retains a desolate charm with its peeling walls and forgotten shops.

In Delhi, the vibrant bloom of gulmohar trees brightens April, contrasting with the city's heat, as locals enjoy the striking red flowers.

Shiv Shankar, a Delhi hawker, sells unique kanji made from fermented rye, blending spices, as he navigates the city with his bicycle.

Delhi bibliophile Ashok's rare book collection includes historic editions like the Constitution of India and first translations of the Bhagavad Gita.

Delhi celebrates the Urs of Sufi mystics Hazrat Amir Khusro and Hazrat Hare Bhare Shah, reflecting on their spiritual legacy and cultural significance.

In Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin, vendor Jahangir serves rare rollerwali ice cream, a fruity summer delight, before monsoon ends his seasonal treat.

In Delhi's New Friends Colony, a fruit-bearing tree attracts hundreds of birds, creating a vibrant symphony, while life continues below its shade.

Delhi's Connaught Place offers a nostalgic journey through its Inner Circle, blending memories of the past with vibrant evening performances.

Jaya Sharma, a JNU PhD student, reflects on her eight-year journey as she prepares to leave her "second home" after submitting her thesis.

Shyam Tea Stall in Old Delhi stands out with vibrant colors and divine decor, serving chai for 46 years amidst a bustling market atmosphere.

Viren and Shaan, friends from East Delhi, bond over food, personality traits, and dreams, sharing their thoughts in a unique Proust Questionnaire.

Connaught Place in Delhi features four circles, each offering unique experiences, from serene Central Park to the vibrant Inner Circle, rich in history.

A monumental bargad tree in Malcha Marg, Delhi, features massive, intertwined aerial roots and serves as a striking landmark amidst urban life.

Old Delhi's Motor Market, behind Jama Masjid, is filled with motor shops and laborers, showcasing a blend of history and bustling activity.

Mannu, a daily wage labourer in Delhi, sells refreshing sattu ghol during summer, awaiting more customers as temperatures rise.

In Hauz Khas Village, people enjoy the sunset hues while the park's pilkhan trees display vibrant leaves, signaling the seasonal shift in colors.

The Hijron ka Khanqah in Mehrauli is a Lodhi-era graveyard for transgender people, while a lesser-known graveyard exists in Ghaziabad, also linked to the community.

Nizam revives a rare summertime tradition in Delhi with his game-wali kulfi, where customers gamble for icy treats using a pinball setup.

A law student, Parthivi, embraces handwritten letters amidst digital communication, believing they convey deeper emotions and connection.

Lodhi Garden offers solitude seekers a hidden gem: Sikander Lodhi's tomb, a serene, exclusive spot amidst the bustling city, yet with strict visiting rules.

In Old Delhi, Aqil's unique summer sherbet returns yearly, while Anil's lively sugarcane juice stall in Gurugram operates year-round.

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