Who is shahid ali

Shahid is the central character of the story, ‘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. 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 deeply inward. 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. After Shahid’s passing away, the author felt a void in his life, which could not be filled.