Sunday, May 13, 2012

Chandni Chowk


Razia Sultan's Grave. Bulbuli Khana . Near Turkman Gate, Old Delhi




Died Oct 13, 1240






"grave said to be of Sultana Razia" .. Several versions of her death are in circulation and even more claims about location of her grave. Hence the above reference in the ASI plaque. 




Modern day neighbour of Sultana Razia. 




Have to weave through the galis of Bulbuli kana to reach the heritage spot. Sunday , with shutters down would be preferable for a visit.


And here amidst the chaos Mirza Ghalib found the perfect geometry of his poetry. 









Died February 15 1869






The haveli where he spent his final days was until recently being used as an air cooler manufacturing facility. The Government managed to reclaim half of it. The other half is still being used as an STD call booth. Ghalib still couldnt reclaim his roof. When it rains, its insides are filled with rain water rather than with Ghalib's verses. 





Old Delhi has to be viewed as a single architectural entity. It spreads like Delhi's own  river, Yamuna - from myth, through history to the present. The architectural time space continuum is not punctuated by the galis, but loosely strewn together by it. 




 For a moment, you could be the little boy of  Abbas Kiarastomi's 'Where is My Friend's House?' For the dreamy eyed, doors of Delhi's galis come  in all shapes, sizes and motifs.




                                                 

And the stairs... Probably as part of maximum utilisation of  space, steep steps remain a feature of Old Delhi's architecture. 










Unlike the architectural structures that make up Old  Delhi, its electric transmission system seems to have predated the Moghul dynasty. 



 Beneath the dust of  multiple centuries, those who inherited the streets which once saw valour, love, blood shed and  opulence carry on with their daily chores... 




...moving the wheels of time


.... spreading the joy of colours...


.... and wisdom ...



..smiling...


... or having nothing to smile about...


.. filled with hope...


... and life...


...in pure black and white...


..even as the mercury soars to 42plus on a summer noon, waiting for the next customer's ride...


..life goes on...


..past , present, light..shadow.. 


.. in a chaotic rhythm...


....in perfect geometry...



..and in assorted blends...


... and wares...



...the young...



..old... 

...and the faceless. 


They live. 

  


They dream. 

...






In and around.. Chandini Chowk. 












5 comments:

fathimababu said...

fruitful sundays!

Puru@ShadowsGalore said...

Amazing photographs !! I was taken by surprise by the charms of Old Delhi :)

Kyra said...

informative, creative and stimulating post kudos :)

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