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Home / Author / Mayank Austen Soofi

Mayank Austen Soofi

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 Gali Hotel Taj Wali

On the facing side, the lane is flanked by Hotel Taj, a hulking pink-and-white landmark that gives a very strong idiosyncratic character to this part of the Walled City. (HT Photo)

Updated on Mar 1, 2026 05:44 IST

Delhiwale: Krishna Chopra, a “housewife; Moley Fernandes, a “crooner”

Photo shows a page torn from the directory, displaying group portrait of the “office bearers & members of Jangpura Extension Welfare Association,” circa 1982. (HT)

Updated on Feb 26, 2026 13:19 IST

Delhiwale: A rotating ice cream

The roller wali ice cream carts surface every year at the start of summer, but sightings are rare. (HT Photo)

Updated on Feb 25, 2026 11:06 IST

Suraj in the city

This afternoon, Suraj is walking in a central Delhi site, close to a high-rise-in-progress. (HT)

Updated on Feb 25, 2026 11:05 IST

Delhiwale: This way to Gali Unchi Masjid

Gali Unchi Masjid draws its name from a masjid that stood at an unchi, elevated, height. Over the decades, the ground gradually levelled. (HT Photo)

Updated on Feb 25, 2026 11:03 IST

Delhiwale: A landmark’s updated perspective

Turkman Gate—a seventeenth-century stone fragment holding its ground against traffic, cables, and the chaos of street life. (HT Photo)

Updated on Feb 25, 2026 11:03 IST

Taste of heatwaves

Citizen Amar’s kulfi cart in central Delhi’s Bhogal bears hand-painted verses in Hindi. (HT)

Updated on Feb 25, 2026 11:02 IST

Dilli in immortal marble

This afternoon, Fakeer Kashmir Baba is the lone visitor inside the monument. (HT)

Updated on Feb 25, 2026 11:01 IST

Delhiwale: The mannequin anthropology

One aspect common to all the Paharganj Main Bazar mannequins is the blonde wig. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Feb 18, 2026 01:28 IST

Delhiwale: “Desi boy,” the poet

He has signed his name on almost every flyer. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Feb 17, 2026 01:02 IST

Delhiwale: Ajay’s first day as cab driver

Ajay Kumar

Updated on Feb 15, 2026 22:44 IST

Delhiwale: This way to Katra Buddhan Rai

Ahmed takes out a small perfume bottle labelled Opium Black, and cordially dabs a drop or two on the back of Rehmat’s palm. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Feb 13, 2026 22:06 IST

Delhiwale: The mystery behind the trapped moon

The cables remain adrift, trapping the unsuspecting moon in their tangle. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Feb 10, 2026 22:22 IST

Delhiwale: Some questions for Sunder Nursery

While most visitors come with family and friends, the park is also envisioned as a cultural hub. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Feb 10, 2026 09:37 IST

Delhiwale: His monumental childhood

The tomb of Emperor Feroze Shah Tughlaq is among Delhi’s great monuments. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Feb 8, 2026 22:48 IST

Delhiwale: His 50 years in the Book Bazar

A few booksellers from the bazar’s pioneering days are still manning the bazar. The gracious Qamar Syed is one such presence. (HT Photo)

Updated on Feb 6, 2026 12:11 IST

Delhiwale: Defence Colony’s Three Stars

Outside the edifice, colourfully painted benches lie beneath murals of turbaned, moustachioed men. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Feb 4, 2026 06:25 IST

Delhiwale: This way to Chatta Girdhar Lal

An arched niche in the building below is filled with discarded plastic bags, sacks, and broken bricks. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Jan 30, 2026 23:12 IST

Delhiwale: Portrait of a lady

Roshan Khatoon, a housekeeper, has just finished her evening work in a central Delhi household, and is getting ready to leave for home. With an umbrella and pithu bag in hand, she patiently agrees to become a part of our Proust Questionnaire series. (HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 29, 2026 05:32 IST

Delhiwale: Home without a balcony

There is no balcony in this spacious sixth-floor apartment in Sahibabad. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Jan 28, 2026 10:18 IST

Delhiwale: Mona’s silver jubilee

Today, Mona would have been over 90. She died nearly a decade ago. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Jan 27, 2026 09:24 IST

Delhiwale: The parade sights

Citizens trying to get a glimpse of a previous year’s parade. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Jan 26, 2026 07:32 IST

Delhiwale: This way to Gali Blue Door Wali

On a recent night, the blue doorway was uncharacteristically deserted. The elderly grocer in the modest shop beside it, was sitting on the floor adjusting the toffee jars, as a citizen strolled past, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere. (HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 23, 2026 22:10 IST

Delhiwale: The return of yellow

Last year’s Basant celebrations, showing a dargah florist stall. (HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 22, 2026 22:08 IST

Delhiwale: One landmark, many perspectives

The Jama Masjid is so grand and so visible from all parts of the historic quarter that it appears to symbolise the entire Old Delhi. (HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 21, 2026 22:02 IST

Delhiwale: Landmark through generations

The Amrit Book Company shop in CP with the framed photo of the late founder. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Jan 19, 2026 23:00 IST

Delhiwale: Usha’s daily daring excursions

Everyday, the woman gets up and dresses in a suit, a sweater and her super-warm red jacket. (Mayank Austen Soofi)

Updated on Jan 19, 2026 07:12 IST

Delhiwale: This way to Gali Mirza Suraiya Jaan

Every evening at seven, citizen Salman arrives at the gate, and sets up his food stall on one side of the street’s entrance. (HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 16, 2026 21:52 IST

Delhiwale: Barbershop Homer

Known more commonly in the locality as Kaaliya, Asif (left) prefers the nickname to his original name. (HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 15, 2026 05:05 IST

Delhiwale: Winter’s garden

This moment, a helicopter is flying over the park (HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 14, 2026 09:00 IST

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