Delhiwale: The nightcrawler’s pass

In his late 70s, the city’s much-loved storyteller spends most of his time in his drawing room, which is filled with several copies of his half-a- dozen books and with hundreds of his yellowing newspaper articles.

Until a few decades ago, author and columnist, Mr Smith, contemporary Delhi’s great chronicler, was in the habit of walking across the streets of Old Delhi every day in search of stories about people and places. An identity card issued to him as a journalist by his employers in 1978 announced to whomever it may concern: “Mr R.V. Smith is employed by The Statesman Ltd., as Sub-Editor and his work involves attendance at night.”

RV Smith now rarely steps outside his second-floor flat in which he lives with his wife and four children (Mayank Austen Soofi / HT Photo)

He showed it to us at his home in west Delhi’s Mayapuri.

Today, Mr Smith rarely steps outside his second-floor flat in which he lives with his wife and four children. In his late 70s, the city’s much-loved storyteller spends most of his time in his drawing room, which is filled with several copies of his half-a- dozen books and with hundreds of his yellowing newspaper articles.

One framed photograph occupied a place of pride in the drawing room. It shows Mr Smith posing with his brand-new Master’s of Arts degree in 1962.