Chandni Chowk Photowalk - A Captivating Orchestra

Sumit Malhotra
On April 14, 2016
http://www.sumitup.in

Chandni Chowk photowalk is always intriguing. The melange of people on the streets of Chandni Chowk evokes mixed feelings. It is painfully mesmerising. On this particular Chandni Chowk photowalk, I focused primarily on people who went about their daily chores. They were unaffected as I clicked them or maybe they were indifferent. I guess since photographers have descended in droves on Chandni Chowk for times immemorial, the humble inhabitants have developed an immunity from them.

Chandni Chowk offers great opportunities for street photography. You can plan for people, food, religion as well as history as a subject. Despite of being most crowded and chaotic area of Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk photowalk is quite enamouring. It is a captivating orchestra of sight, smell, and sound presented here in black and white.

: A fruit salad thela near the exit of Chandni Chowk metro station

: Making besan ka chila near the exit of Chandni Chowk metro station

: Fried Chicken Seller – Chandni Chowk Photowalk

: Time for an afternoon snooze – Shopkeeper in Matia Mahal

: Matia Mahal – Chandni Chowk Photowalk

: The Paan Maker – Near Abhishek Cineplex

: The Weight Checker – Streets of Chandni Chowk

: The Currency Changer – Near Abhishek Cineplex

: The Lady of Glasses – Near Abhishek Cineplex

: The Cobbler – Near Abhishek Cineplex

: The Pattern Maker – Near Bhai Mati Das Chowk

: Another Portable Paan Store – Near Matia Mahal

: The Camera Maestro – Get all kinds of cameras fixed

: A bicycle repairman in the lane leading to Jama Masjid

: Man with a portable paan shop

: The Thirst Quencher – Outside Jama Masjid

: Radish Times – Stop for a quick bite

: Quick Snack Supplier – Chandni chowk

: Friends Chatting – Interesting Wares

: This lady & kids were selling interesting containers

: A Man Protecting his Possessions

: A Lady Waiting – Chandni Chowk Photowalk

: Seeking Alms from Passerbys – Jama Masjid

: Beggar Outside Jama Masjid

: View of Jama Masjid from Matia Mahal

Chandni chowk is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, India. Chandni Chowk is located close to Old Delhi Railway Station. Chandni Chowk, or the Moonlight Square, was designed and established by Princess Jahanara, Shah Jahan’s favourite daughter, in 1650 CE.

The bazaar was shaped as a square was given elegance by the presence of a pool in the centre of the complex. The pool shimmered in the moonlight, a feature which was perhaps responsible for its name. Shops were originally built in a half-moon shaped pattern, now lost. The bazaar was famous for its silver merchants, which may also have contributed to the name as silver is referred to as Chandi in Hindi, a slight variation of which forms Chandni.

Summary