Over the centuries, across several cities and towns of the sub-continent, groups of men would walk in the alleyways and streets before dawn during the month of Ramzan to wake up families for their Sehri (the meal before the fast begins), calling out their names, playing drums and chanting.

Over the last few decades, many such traditions have been lost. However, remnants of some practices still bind together certain neighborhoods. Here is the story of Nadeem from Old Delhi, who takes a one-month break from his job during the month of Ramzan every year. He stays up the entire night to wake up people for the pre-dawn meal. He is carrying on a tradition he learnt from his grandfather as a young boy.

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