the CHAOS of Chandni Chowk pt 1 & 2
These two photos were taken in late march, again with my Coolpix exploring Old Delhi. Old Delhi – a place that’s become one of my favourite spots I’ve traveled to. Growing up in South India, specifically Bangalore, which is somewhat calm and peaceful(minus the traffic). The North, though, especially Old Delhi—is different. Despite all the stories I’d heard, nothing really prepares you for the actual chaos until you’re right in the middle of it. And honestly, I love it.
Pt.1 and 2 were both taken on the same street, the iconic Chandni Chowk. My aim was to capture a little bit of the true chaos of Chandni Chowk. People walking, shopping eating, selling; rickshaws navigating roads half their size, with countless others crowding the way. Every person in a state of transit. Going from one place to another. Absolutely nothing at rest.
In pt.1, you see food stalls, vendors, and buyers all packed tightly along the narrow road. The picture captures a man transporting something, possibly from a roadside hotel. Although the vendor is in the foreground, the image really shows the compactness of the streets—tangled wires, bold signboards, and the many people on the move. One thing I really like about this piece is the uniformity of warm colours and the shadows surrounding them.
In pt.2, we see a cycle rickshaw and its rider navigating a narrow road, barely wide enough for the rickshaw itself. You can also catch glimpses of locals passing by, their faces showing a hint of confusion. I chose black and white here purely to highlight the action and movement captured in the scene. The natural lighting almost puts a spotlight on the rickshaw rider, making him stand out in the image.
Despite all the chaos, everything somehow works. That's probably why I like old Delhi . Everyone gets where they need to go, business functions as always. Hundreds of lives and stories passing by every minute, through these narrow paths, always in transit.