19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Mobile
Pushing Water

This is a series of photographs I've made in my many trips to Old delhi, India. A place where most of Delhi's history resides. A place where everyone has come and gone. All rulers, all generals. All. The common live here, always have. The emperors ruled here, but no more. Well if you think about it, the poor rule. I choose to photograph here because I'm fascinated by the huge monuments that were erected centuries ago yet still stand. I'm fascinated by the depth in the place- because it's almost intoxicating. Here's something I recently wrote about the city. " Delhi I still can’t figure out what to do with you, love. 
I don’t need the small, petty details. All I know is that you need love. 
You need time, you need patience. 
You don’t need another 
Nadir Shah in November. 

You are my Peacock Throne. 
 You need to be rebuilt, rekindled, rethought of. 
Polished. 
The empty places for emeralds that once were inside of you
need to be refilled with brighter, more brilliant ones. 

Your waters need to feel soft hagain, your air needs to breathe again, my love. 

Oh Delhi, tell me how. Tell me how to take care of you. “

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: New Delhi, India
Camera: iPhone12,8
Copyright: © Ishaan Mehta