Please add the summary of "The Ghat of the Only World" in snapshots.
Answers
The Ghat of the only World by Amitav Ghosh is a story about Agha Shahid who was a friend of the writer. The writer knew that his friend won't live long therefore, Shahid asks his friend to write about him when he will be dead. The author ought to keep his promise towards Shahid. Both the writer and Shahid studied in the same university that is in Delhi University. As Shahid belonged to Kashmir, in 1975 he moved to America and later Shahid's two sisters also joined later. The writer was impressed by the poems that were written by Shahid. Since then writer never met Shahid. Later from 1998 to 1999 they had frequent conversations and met sometimes. Suddenly one fine day in February 2000 Shahid faces a blackout. The reason of blackout was suggested to be due to cancer. Later in order to be close to his sisters, Shahid moved to Brooklyn and so writer also lived in Brooklyn few blocks away. In April the writer calls Shahid and reminds him about the lunch invitation they had from a friend.
Shahid spoke to the writer about his death that was approaching and asks the writer to write about him when he will be no more. Since then the writer kept track of all calls, meetings, and talks he had with Shahid. Shahid was admitted to hospital on 21 May 2001.
He became very weak and could hardly stand. The writer met Shahid last on 27 October and Shahid died on 8 December 2001. The writer feels the void without Shahid. While the writer walks into the living room he feels Shahid's presence.
Summary Ghat of the Only World
‘The Ghat of the Only World’ written by Amitav Ghosh. The author has dedicated this chapter to commemorate Shaid’s greatness as a human being. Shahid wanted the narrator to write something about him after his fast approaching death.
Shahid had been diagnosed with brain tumor; his medication was going on. He had been operated a few times to relieve him of the consequences of the tumor; after the operations chemotherapy had been started. However, Shahid was not responding to chemotherapy positively and as per doctors’ expectations. So doctors decided to stop all medications. They clearly said Shahid had only a year to live. This news saddened all Shahid’s relatives and friends. The narrator was sad also.
Author, Amitav Ghosh had come in contact with Shahid through a common friend. Shahid and the author had studied at Delhi University. Their studying at the university had overlapped, but yet they had not been able to meet each other. Then in 1998 and 1999 author talked to Shahid on phone. However, he was able to meet him only after he moved to Brooklyn in 2000. There were many things common between Amitav Ghosh and Shahid Ali. They both had studied in the same university. Both of them liked rogan josh, Bombay films, Roshanara Begum, and Kishore Kumar; both of them did not like cricket. Besides, they had many common friends in India and America. Owing to these common tastes they were naturally drawn to each other.
Shahid decided to live the remaining numbered days of his life in the best possible manner. Quite frequently half-dozen or more people would gather at his apartment. There would be poetry, talks, singing, and discourses. Shahid would have delicious dishes cooked for his friends. Thus, there was always carnival at his apartment; and he was the center of this carnival.
Shahid was immensely fond of life’s all beautiful things, food included. As visitors would approach his door, aroma of rogan josh and haak would greet them. He loved cooking Kashmiri dishes and made them tasty by adding all the spices. He would often give directions to the cook in the kitchen to make the food tastier. Until the end of life, he enjoyed food and its fragrance. Shahid had a sorcerer’s ability to transmute the mundane into magical. Shahid was a very strong man. He had found a way out to keep himself alive in spite of the physical and mental pain of his illness. There was never an evening when there was not a party in his living room. He loved to be surrounded by people and friends. He loved that spirit of festivity as it meant he did not have any time to be depressed.
Contrary to general belief of people about the Muslim fanaticism, Shahid and his parents had quite secular ecumenical outlook on life. In his childhood Shahid’s parents not only allowed him to set up a small Hindu temple in his home, but his mother also bought him idols and other needed things to do the Pooja.
He loved Kashmir and wrote passionately about the issues related to Kashmir. He was content to be called a national poet but not an extreme nationalist. He had his own moderate views, which were not extreme at all. He believed in inclusion and pluralism. He liked other cultures and religions also.
It was his ardent desire to return to Kashmir and be buried there. However, owing to logistical reasons his wish remained unfulfilled.
Since Shahid’s malignant tumor was not responding to therapies and medications; doctors decided to stop all medication. Doctors gave him a few months’ time.
This great soul breathed his last on December 8, 2001, creating a void in his near and dear ones’ life.