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[Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi]
In this crowded city, loneliness is hardly elusive. It is sitting on the steps of Rajauri Garden metro station, crouching on the grassy grounds of Lodhi Garden. It is a silhouette in Central Park, a broken soul at Nizamuddin dargah. Loneliness is a coolie in a railway station, a society lady in a living room. It is even a bird, bitch, or kitten. It is also a beggar, also a best-selling author. Here’s the proof.
Mirza Ghalib's Tomb, Nizamuddin Basti
Rooftop, Old Delhi
Living Room, Malcha Marg
Outside a mandir, Kailash Colony
F-block, Connaught Place
Matia Mahal, Near Jama Masjid
Lake-side, Lodhi Garden
N-block, Connaught Place
Pavement, Road (Unknown)
N-block subway, Connaught Place
Auto, Near ITO Crossing
N-block, Connaught Place
Living Room, Sujan Singh Park
Metro Station, Rajauri Garden
Music Shop, Connaught Place
Outside Golcha Theater, Daryaganj
N-block, Connaught Place
Living Room, Nizamuddin East
Near Statesman Tower, Barakhamba
Stairs, Hazrat Nizamuddin Station
She too is lonely, Hauz Khas
Bus Shelter, Tolstoy Marg
She too alone, Paharganj
Near Regal Cinema, Connaught Place
Courtyard, Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah
14 comments:
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I can understand the kitten but how can the people be so lonely in spite of having one of the oldest cities of the world for company?
Brilliant photos. As is the norm.
Nice pics, Austen.
Brilliant : )
Loneliness? Never felt lonely in Delhi! It is photography effect.
Brilliant photography meant to turn around the ideas of the reader towards lonelines in big cities! ;)
Ibanov, living in old and modern cities does not erase loneliness -- it is a state of mind. one can have all the amnentities around them, but it is hard to escape the inner self when found unparallel to its surrounding. Surely, you too, have felt a pang of loneliness at some point in your life, no? If not --I would be concerned, just a bit ;)
Mayank, the photo essay is interesting.
SS
Strangely enough, I never felt lonely when I lived in Delhi. As a foreigner, I stuck out like a sore thumb so there was always curious enough to stop me and ask questions, and as a woman, I was told to avoid wandering around alone, so most of the time I was accompanied by friends, or by someone concerned enough about my well-being. The biggest loneliness I have ever felt was in cities that are "perfectly modern", clean, safe, efficient - like London and Singapore. Everything is designed for the person who is alone and human contact has been made redundant. For example, here in London, I can use self-service checkouts at the supermarket, so I don't need to have contact with any human being to get my food. Same with train tickets, even library books - there is a self-service machine for everything and if there isn't, then it can be done online. It's depressingly easy to go for days, even weeks, without talking to anyone. Delhi, thanks to its craziness and "backwardness", is a little less lonely than that, even though it's bigger.
its lonelier in the smaller towns, take it from a small towner. atleast the metros make you feel like you're not the only one who is alone..
especially cities like bombay where you wonder how one can feel alone, in the bustling traffic or the packed trains..
good work, mayank.. pls open ruinedbyreading to public or send an invite..
thanks.
@SS
Try Bombay then - even the city can't stop you from feeling lonely.
Congratulations Mayank for presenting such a lovely set of photographs of known and unknown Delhiwalas.I dont think Khushwant Singh and Sadiya could be placed in that category.I liked all your photos.
TAnhaaaayiiiiiiiii,gr8 pics,soofi sahib
Wonderful...
Big cities do make me feel lonely, quite paradoxically. Bombay, Delhi, Chicago, New York, London, everywhere...
Small towns are much more homely. At least they treat you so if you live there for a while. After some time everybody seem to know you either you interact with them (shop-keepers, milkman, barber et al), or they see you walking on the road, take your morning jog in the park, or whatever else you do... Sometimes I miss the anonimity one has in the big cities, but at this stage of my life, I am happier in a cozier small town. In fact, it is perfect for me in Allahabad.
Maan gaye janaab !
Keep it going.
Thank you for sharing the photos. Your eye is so sharp. You show the city and her people so clearly. Almost matches the clarity of my memories there.
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