Chapter 6 - The Ghat of the Only World

This article will help you to learn about the summary, characters and themes in the short story “The Ghat of the Only World”, written by Amitav Ghosh. It will further help you get all The Ghat of the Only World NCERT Answers.

Synopsis

The Ghat Of The Only World Class 11 by Amitav Ghosh is a story about Agha Shahid, who was a friend of the writer. The writer knew that his friend wouldn’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 at 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, the 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 for the blackout was suggested to be due to cancer.

Later to be close to his sisters, Shahid moved to Brooklyn, and so writer also lived in Brooklyn a 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 asked 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 frail 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.

Character List

Shahid is the central character of the story. The author has dedicated this chapter to commemorate his greatness as a human being. The author was very much impressed with Shahid’s works: The Country without a Post Office had made a powerful impression on him. His writing was lyrical, disciplined, engaged and yet profoundly inward. Shahid was immensely fond of life’s all beautiful things, food included. As visitors would approach his door, the 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 more palatable. Until the end of life, he enjoyed food and its fragrance. Shahid had a sorcerer’s ability to transmute the mundane into magical. He was a powerful man. There was never an evening when there was not a party in his living room. He loved to be surrounded by people and friends. To him, the spirit of festivity meant that he did not have any time to be depressed.

Contrary to the general belief of people about the Muslim fanaticism, Shahid and his parents had a quite secular 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. After Shahid’s passing away, the author felt a void in his life, which could not be filled.

Themes

Class 11 English Chapter The Ghat Of The Only World is a serious story about friendship and commitment the writer has to fulfil after the death of his friend – Agha Shahid Ali. It is about his love for Kashmir, his fondness for food and music and his views on life, art and literature.

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