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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: This way to Kucha Dakhni Rai

Kucha Dakhni Rai features long-standing machinery shops and a chai stall run by Zakib, with locals unaware of the history behind the name.

Zakib has been running his chai stall for 30 years in Kucha Dakhni Rai. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Feb 15, 2025 04:45 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Valentine’s Day mubarak

This Valentine's Day, enjoy romantic verses by Mirza Ghalib, reflecting deep passion and longing, perfect for reading in Lodhi Garden.

Dawood, a shop staffer, at Ghalib’s tomb. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Feb 13, 2025 10:37 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: A city that is a gram

Gurugram turns 10 in 2026, celebrating its rich heritage and modernity with Instagrammable spots like Sham Sweets, Gateway Tower, and Gwal Pahari.

Each scrawl is in a different handwriting, indicating that this is a popular getaway for local Romeos and Juliets. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Feb 11, 2025 05:24 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: The year was 1983

A used diary from 1983 reveals a booklover's eclectic taste, filled with titles, opinions, and personal notes, showcasing their inner life.

On the top of the page, the diarist has jotted down in caps: “Writers have the last word; it is they—not dictators—who compose the history books.” (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Feb 10, 2025 06:28 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: This way to Bhaijaan Market

Bhaijaan Market in Old Delhi, named after a beloved figure, features shops and a barbershop but lacks clarity on its namesake's identity.

Tauqeer and Umar are busy framing frames after frames. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Feb 08, 2025 06:20 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Houses of spirits

Delhi's haunted landmarks include Khooni Darwaza, where blood is said to drip, and Ghamandan Sarai, where a merchant felt ghostly breezes.

The Khooni Darwaza, also known as Lal Darwaza, was erected 500 years ago by Sher Shah Suri — then it was called Kabuli Darwaza. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Feb 07, 2025 06:02 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: It’s all Farsi to me

Kader Abdolah, a Dutch-Iranian author, honors Farsi poet Mirza Ghalib in Delhi, reflecting on the language's journey and Ghalib's legacy.

This afternoon, the worlds of these two literary figures of the Farsi universe intersect. (HT)

Delhi

Published on Feb 06, 2025 06:32 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Portrait of an entrepreneur

Sunita, a dedicated hyperlocal entrepreneur, runs a paratha stall in Old Delhi, balancing family and work with a daily routine of hard work and care.

Delhi

Published on Feb 04, 2025 05:14 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: A stall goes on

After a six-month closure due to health issues, Rakesh Kumar's used magazine stall reopens on Connaught Lane, resuming its long-standing presence.

This afternoon the stall is open, standing at its usual spot on Connaught Lane, the pedestrian-friendly stretch connecting Kasturba Gandhi Marg to Janpath Road. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Feb 02, 2025 10:19 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: And it was all Yellow...

Basant celebrations at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah tomorrow will feature yellow flowers, joyful crowds, and qawwals singing Amir Khusro's poetry.

Such scenes shall unfold Sunday evening tomorrow to mark the debut of 2025 spring Basant at the dargah of Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. (The photo above is of the last year’s festivity). (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 31, 2025 10:12 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: This way to Gali Chunnamal

Gali Chunnamal, a once vibrant lane, now shows signs of decay, with locked doors and a few idle shopkeepers reminiscing about a forgotten past.

Delhi

Published on Jan 31, 2025 05:24 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: James Joyce’s envoy

The Proust Questionnaire features Kevin Kelly, Ireland's ambassador, reflecting on happiness, history, and modern Ireland as Joyce's Ulysses anniversary approaches.

Delhi

Updated on Jan 30, 2025 08:31 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Into the empty quarter

A surreal scene in Ghaziabad reveals a vast sandy expanse, with a mix of life and decay amidst the encroaching urban development.

A green plastic thaila has wrapped itself about a dead plant. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Published on Jan 29, 2025 06:46 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: To a mountain locomotive

The Kalka-Shimla steam engine, a relic from 1935, now stands preserved at New Delhi station, evoking nostalgia for its scenic journeys through the Himalayas.

The ZF Class engine used to haul the trains on the Kala-Shimla route and was manufactured in Nazi Germany in 1935. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 28, 2025 05:42 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: First among equals

Delhi's monumental tricolor flag at Connaught Place, larger than a badminton court, captivates citizens and symbolizes national pride amidst the bustling city.

The F block in Connaught Place. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 27, 2025 05:34 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: CP’s purveyor of classics

Discover Jain Book Center in Connaught Place, a hidden gem for quality used books, nestled among Delhi's historic bookshops.

To be sure, CP is rich with pavement bookstalls. Most of these stalls mostly hawk self-help type paperbacks (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 07:09 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Shanti Devi’s world

In Indirapuram, Shanti Devi runs Budhiya Dhaba, a modest eatery named by her husband. Despite challenges, she cooks daily for local laborers.

Shanti Devi set up the eatery two years ago. It was her husband who named it so without first checking with her, she says, sitting this quiet afternoon on the dhaba’s wooden cot. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 07:10 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: This way to Republic Day Parade

Old Delhi's Republic Day Parade once thrived through its streets, recalled by Fareed Mirza, who remembers the vibrant crowds and celebrations of his childhood.

Delhi

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 07:01 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Gulzar’s responsibility

On a chilly morning in Delhi, 12-year-old Gulzar escorts his visually impaired father Shaifuddin to the hospital, dreaming of becoming a doctor.

The boy is carrying a large bag. He introduces himself as Gulzar. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 07:01 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Into the world of Jagat

Jagat cinema in Old Delhi, closed since 2004, reveals haunting remnants of its past, with desolate interiors and memories of classic screenings.

Nowhere else in the city might anyone experience a sight as haunting as Jagat, closed since 2004. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 21, 2025 05:22 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: A face in the crowd

A Goldman Statue artist in Connaught Place shares insights on life, friendships, and his golden identity in a Proust Questionnaire.

He daily performs in Connaught Place, mostly standing still as if he were a statue, a donation box beside him. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 19, 2025 10:25 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: This way to Kona

The Kona, a quiet corner in Haveli Azam Khan Chowk, contrasts with the bustling lanes, housing a few residents amid the lively street life nearby.

Muhammed Wakeel, left, with friend, Muhammed Yunus. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 17, 2025 09:14 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Manmohan Singh’s haunt

Delhi's Central News Agency, a landmark for decades, has transformed into Dosa Coffee, marking a shift from old charm to modern dining.

Delhi

Updated on Jan 16, 2025 09:52 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Life’s feast with Jane Austen

2025 marks Jane Austen's 250th birthday, inspiring a Delhi Jane Austen Society to discuss her works and local social issues over chai and biskuts.

Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen’s second novel. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 13, 2025 10:38 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Peepal of the world

A peepal tree outside Kamala Market in Delhi is a hub for rats, squirrels, and a street recycler, supported by Raghunath's daily care.

Delhi

Updated on Jan 13, 2025 04:45 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: This way to Gali Kalyanpura

Mohammed Tahir, a healer in Old Delhi's Gali Kalyanpura, helps people with inner djinns. The narrow lane is bustling with life despite its gloomy atmosphere.

A curtained door flanks a wall scarred with a pile of gunny sacks. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 10, 2025 09:41 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: On Bim Bissell

Bim is most identified with FabIndia, a company founded in 1960 by her husband, the late John Bissell

Delhi

Updated on Jan 10, 2025 06:44 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Old darwaza’s new life

In Nizamuddin Basti, a historic doorway reopens as Vasim's bakery, Shahi Sheermal, revives the art of making traditional sheermal bread.

Nestled within the historic enclave of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, the darwaza is adorned on both sides by an arched taak, itself a disappearing architectural element. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 05, 2025 10:17 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: This way to a secret path

A hidden, nameless lane in Old Delhi links busy roads, showcasing a mix of litter and history with a surviving fragment of the city's ancient wall.

Delhi

Updated on Jan 03, 2025 10:19 PM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

Delhiwale: Snowfall in Lodhi Garden

In Delhi's Lodhi Garden, a tree appears snow-dusted with blooming tecoma bel flowers, captivating picnickers unaware of their true nature.

January is the peak time to blossom for the tecoma bel creeper. (HT Photo)

Delhi

Updated on Jan 03, 2025 05:04 AM IST

ByMayank Austen Soofi

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Mayank Austen Soofi

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

Kucha Dakhni Rai features long-standing machinery shops and a chai stall run by Zakib, with locals unaware of the history behind the name.

This Valentine's Day, enjoy romantic verses by Mirza Ghalib, reflecting deep passion and longing, perfect for reading in Lodhi Garden.

Gurugram turns 10 in 2026, celebrating its rich heritage and modernity with Instagrammable spots like Sham Sweets, Gateway Tower, and Gwal Pahari.

A used diary from 1983 reveals a booklover's eclectic taste, filled with titles, opinions, and personal notes, showcasing their inner life.

Bhaijaan Market in Old Delhi, named after a beloved figure, features shops and a barbershop but lacks clarity on its namesake's identity.

Delhi's haunted landmarks include Khooni Darwaza, where blood is said to drip, and Ghamandan Sarai, where a merchant felt ghostly breezes.

Kader Abdolah, a Dutch-Iranian author, honors Farsi poet Mirza Ghalib in Delhi, reflecting on the language's journey and Ghalib's legacy.

Sunita, a dedicated hyperlocal entrepreneur, runs a paratha stall in Old Delhi, balancing family and work with a daily routine of hard work and care.

After a six-month closure due to health issues, Rakesh Kumar's used magazine stall reopens on Connaught Lane, resuming its long-standing presence.

Basant celebrations at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah tomorrow will feature yellow flowers, joyful crowds, and qawwals singing Amir Khusro's poetry.

Gali Chunnamal, a once vibrant lane, now shows signs of decay, with locked doors and a few idle shopkeepers reminiscing about a forgotten past.

The Proust Questionnaire features Kevin Kelly, Ireland's ambassador, reflecting on happiness, history, and modern Ireland as Joyce's Ulysses anniversary approaches.

A surreal scene in Ghaziabad reveals a vast sandy expanse, with a mix of life and decay amidst the encroaching urban development.

The Kalka-Shimla steam engine, a relic from 1935, now stands preserved at New Delhi station, evoking nostalgia for its scenic journeys through the Himalayas.

Delhi's monumental tricolor flag at Connaught Place, larger than a badminton court, captivates citizens and symbolizes national pride amidst the bustling city.

Discover Jain Book Center in Connaught Place, a hidden gem for quality used books, nestled among Delhi's historic bookshops.

In Indirapuram, Shanti Devi runs Budhiya Dhaba, a modest eatery named by her husband. Despite challenges, she cooks daily for local laborers.

Old Delhi's Republic Day Parade once thrived through its streets, recalled by Fareed Mirza, who remembers the vibrant crowds and celebrations of his childhood.

On a chilly morning in Delhi, 12-year-old Gulzar escorts his visually impaired father Shaifuddin to the hospital, dreaming of becoming a doctor.

Jagat cinema in Old Delhi, closed since 2004, reveals haunting remnants of its past, with desolate interiors and memories of classic screenings.

A Goldman Statue artist in Connaught Place shares insights on life, friendships, and his golden identity in a Proust Questionnaire.

The Kona, a quiet corner in Haveli Azam Khan Chowk, contrasts with the bustling lanes, housing a few residents amid the lively street life nearby.

Delhi's Central News Agency, a landmark for decades, has transformed into Dosa Coffee, marking a shift from old charm to modern dining.

2025 marks Jane Austen's 250th birthday, inspiring a Delhi Jane Austen Society to discuss her works and local social issues over chai and biskuts.

A peepal tree outside Kamala Market in Delhi is a hub for rats, squirrels, and a street recycler, supported by Raghunath's daily care.

Mohammed Tahir, a healer in Old Delhi's Gali Kalyanpura, helps people with inner djinns. The narrow lane is bustling with life despite its gloomy atmosphere.

Bim is most identified with FabIndia, a company founded in 1960 by her husband, the late John Bissell

In Nizamuddin Basti, a historic doorway reopens as Vasim's bakery, Shahi Sheermal, revives the art of making traditional sheermal bread.

A hidden, nameless lane in Old Delhi links busy roads, showcasing a mix of litter and history with a surviving fragment of the city's ancient wall.

In Delhi's Lodhi Garden, a tree appears snow-dusted with blooming tecoma bel flowers, captivating picnickers unaware of their true nature.

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