HISTORY

Kuldeep Singh, 52, a bus contractor and driver, is being sought out by many suave, English-speaking entrepreneurs, all wanting to rent a piece of land he and his brothers own in Saidulajab village in south Delhi. The land–khasra number 258—which till a few years back had cow shades and furniture workshops, has morphed into Parisian passageway with cafes, design studios, a reading room and handicraft shops. The backyards of these establishments are often the venue for impromptu poetry evening, music gigs, book launches, making the place an important spot on the city’s culinary and cultural map. The passageway is called Champa Gali, and do not be surprised if you have not heard of it. Even locals haven’t. Auto drivers will gawk at you if you mention Champa Gali-- the Capital’s best kept secret. But those who know cannot stop gushing about it. Aditya Sharma, a children’s author, says that there is no better place in the city to think, write and meet like-minded people. “The place has the vibes of a rural French street with alternative cafes that offer such a fantastic blend of coffee and culture,” says Sharma. “It is everything that other urban villages in the city are not.