This Way to Gali Chunnamal

The Old Delhi encyclopaedia

- Mayank Austen Soofi

Some walls are continuing to stand, so do some shelves and doorways. A flight of stairs as well. All else has become a huge pile of bricks. Anyhow, the debris of the old building, which locals say fell some years ago, looks integrated to the texture of the land. This afternoon, passers-by are hurrying by busily, no one looking at this heap.

Such is the surreal start to Gali Chunnamal. Located close to the Walled City's vanished city wall, the lane this afternoon is dappled in shade, splashed here and there, with spheres and squares of sunshine. The gali is rich in stylish old doors; all of which are locked. Some are covered in dust, their latches densely cobwebbed. They must not have been touched for years.