NARRATING TRUTHS: AMITAV

GHOSH’S NON-FICTION VOYAGE

BY-

• Ananya Bordoloi (EGI21002)

• Jonakee Kakati (EGI21027)
• Sahin Akhter (EGI21028)
• Dorothy Barman (EGI21029)
 INTRODUCTION

• Amitav Ghosh, Indian writer

• Born: 11 July, 1956, Kolkata
• India’s highest literary honour, Jnanpith Award 2018.
• Padma Shri 2007, one of India’s highest honour.
• Dan David Prize 2010, Joint winner with Margaret Atwood.
• Grand Prix Prize 2011, first English-language writer to receive this.
• Famous works- In an Antique Land, The Great Derangement, The Imam And
The Indian
Major Features of Ghosh’s Writing Style

1. Historical Depth and Rich Cultural Context:

Many of Ghosh’s novels are characterised by their extensive research, historical accuracy, and
meticulous attention to detail. The author seamlessly weaves together fictional narratives with real
historical events, offering readers an aesthetically and factually rich experience. An exemplary novel in
this regard is he Shadow Lines (1988), where Ghosh explores the complexities of identity and borders
against the backdrop of major historical events such as the Swadeshi movement and the Partition of
India.

2. Global Themes and Wide Appeal:

It is a well-known fact that the writings of Ghosh offer a global perspective, subjects affecting not one
or two nations but a major part of the world, and characters that resonate with a global audience. In
doing so, one can visibly comprehend that Ghosh’s writing transcends geographical boundaries and
vividly explores the interconnectedness of people and nations. In his renowned Ibis Trilogy,”
comprising three bestselling and critically acclaimed novels Sea of Poppies (2008), River of Smoke
(2011), and Flood of Fire (2015), Ghosh authoritatively delves into the global opium trade and its
impact on individuals from different cultures. His narratives highlight the interplay between individuals
and larger historical forces, emphasising the universal nature of human experiences.
Major Features of Ghosh’s Writing Style

3. Portrayal of Character Complexity

In the realm of literature, few authors possess the ability to breathe life into characters with
the level of complexity that Amitav Ghosh achieves. His narrative prowess is particularly
evident in the portrayal of characters during the Tibetan dinner scene in his works. As we
delve into this literary tapestry, Ghosh's characters are not mere figments of imagination;
they are living, breathing entities with layers that unfold like petals.

4. Linguistic Flourish
Amitav Ghosh's literary brilliance extends beyond plot and character, finding expression in a
linguistic flourish that elevates his works to the realm of artistry. In the dance of words
across his pages, Ghosh unveils a tapestry woven with linguistic elegance, where each
sentence is a brushstroke, painting vivid images and evoking profound emotions.
 The Imam And The Indian
• One of his non-fictional works.
• Collection of 18 essays and journalistic, scholarly articles published in 2002.
• The book is named after the first article included in it.
• In introduction he argues “in the circuitry of the imagination, connection are of better
importance than discipline”.
• Heterogeneous nature of the works, cannot be under same category.
• First five narratives written in his attentive phase based on his research period in Egypt.
• Every essay has a story and issue which is developed further in his other works.
• ‘An Egyptian in Baghdad’ during Gulf War- Nabeel, a villager in Egypt who left to work for an
Iraqi owner in Baghdad.
‘The Ghosts of Mrs. Gandhi’ horrible aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination in
Delhi.
Also includes a translation of a short story ‘Kshudhita Pashan’ (The Hunger of Stones)
by Rabindranath Tagore.
His political, social, cultural concern evident in the essays.
The aspects of globalisation, an underlying theme.
Large scale migration issues.
 “The Imam and the Indian”- A Brief Analysis

It is the title essay of the collection of non-fiction essays by the same name. It was originally published
in the year 2002.
Setting- a village near Alexandria, Egypt
Major Characters- The Imam of the village, Khamees a.k.a the Rat and the narrator
A descriptive and narrative sort of an essay.
His motive seems to be to establish the dubious nature of borders between people and nations.
Gives an account of Ghosh’s experience in an Egyptian village as an Indian student.

,
The essay revolves around the narrator’s intense desire to meet with the old Imam of the
village who leads everyone to the prayers.
The Imam is also known to be a barber and a healer. However, the villagers do not appreciate
him. They treat him as if he is a thing from the past. They do not want an Imam who is a
barber and a healer. The old people want him to be able to quote fluently from the Jamal ad-
Din and the young ones want a fierce black-bearded orator whose voice could thunder from
the sky and reveal to them their destiny.
However, the narrator came to know that the Imam is highly read on matters of science and
politics, which sparked in him the desire to have a conversation with the Imam.
But in due turns of events, the Imam starts to be not so fond of the narrator. He questions the narrator’s
Indian roots and culture.
He mocks certain Indian customs and questions why Indians burn their dead and worship cows. The
Imam argues that Indians are backward and underdeveloped as compared to the West and Egypt itself.
Both of them start to argue as to which country’s military is more powerful, and which country has
more powerful bombs, tanks, and nuclear power that can be at par with the West.
Thus, through this essay, Ghosh records how a country today is measured in terms of its destructive
forces rather than constructive ones. It showcases how development is now measured in terms of
violence.

As the Imam says, “ We have guns and tanks and bombs. And they are better than anything you
have - we are way ahead of you”

He says, “They don’t burn their dead in the West, They’re not an ignorant people. They’re
advanced, they’re educated, they have science, they have guns and tanks and bombs”

Ghosh with his use of simple and easily understandable language portrays how the superiority of the
West has become an acceptable fact among all no, matter be it an Indian or an Egyptian.
He emphasizes the fact that their idea of India is through the West without any first-hand impressions.
The prevalence of Occidentalism, Eurocentrism, and glorification of the West is highlighted.

,
The Imam’s refusal to acquaint the narrator with his traditional healing processes is perhaps the
reason that old customs are not trusted anymore. The customs and traditions, which constitute the
identity of an individual, community, and nation have now become obsolete. Moreover,Khameer
making jokes and the ladies exclaiming “Haram! Haram!” on learning that most Indians burn their
dead and worship cows showcase a stark contrast between different cultures of the world. It
highlights Ghosh’s technique of delving into the complexities of cultural identities and the ways
they shape people.

Additionally, as an anthropologist Ghosh’s visit to Egypt in search of a genuine and settled culture
bewilders him when he finds the restlessness prevailing there, as the villagers seem to be the “airline
passengers in a transit lounge”
This touches on his prominent feature of writing about people living in diaspora and migration and
further explores the ideas of displacement, globalization, and belongingness.
Thus, this essay can be seen as a concrete example of Ghosh’s unique, richly descriptive, and multi-
layered writing style. This essay beautifully captures his signature themes of cultural identity,
history, Occidentalism, globalization, etc.
 “Tibetan Dinner”

• The second essay of his collection called Imam And

The Indian.
• Settings: a dinner at Indo-Chine, an in-est
restaurant in Manhattan.
• Characters: the narrator, bunch of popular and
important celebrities invited to the dinner, and
the lama(the one who owned the restaurant).
• 1st person POV, the narrator describing the
happenings at the dinner.
• Ghosh was invited to attend a dinner by his
American writer and an actress who had spent quite
a time in India.
• The main motive of hosting the dinner:
establishing Tibet as an independent nation and
making it a household word in the mouth of every
US citizen.
 Summary

The essay "Tibetan Dinner" tells the story of a

narrator's journey through personal memory to
understand the Tibetan cause. The essay begins with
the narrator at a dinner party, where he encounters
a Tibetan monk and is served Tibetan momos, which
triggers a memory of his university days in Delhi,
where he frequented food stalls of Tibetan
refugees. The essay then moves to the narrator's
reflections on the lives of Tibetans in different
parts of India, and finally, back to the restaurant
where he tries to understand the value of the
dinner arranged for the Tibetan cause. The essay
humanizes the historical epoch of Tibet, focusing
on the people and their challenges, while also
maintaining a balance between historical details
and narratives of personal and communal memory.
Analysis of the Themes:

--Historical background of the country and its Geographical crisis: the refugees in India and the
Tibetan diaspora across the world.
-The association of dining in an Asian restaurant and promoting the recognition of a country: how we
link the idea of a country with it’s food and cuisine.
-Orientalism and the perceiving of this issue by the West:
 Navigating the China-Tibet-India Triangle

The Tibet issue has been a longstanding and complex aspect of India-China relations. China's
occupation of Tibet in 1950 led to a disputed common border, raising concerns in India about military
buildup, infrastructure development, and water security. China's insecurity about Tibet is fueled by the
presence of the Dalai Lama and a large Tibetan refugee population in India. India's democratic system
and tradition of refuge make it difficult to meet China's expectations on Tibet without significant
concessions. The breakdown of talks between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama's
representatives, along with China's territorial claims and alliance with Pakistan, have hardened India's
position on the issue.
India serves as a central theme in the essay, as it is the place where the narrator
formed his memories and understanding of the Tibetan cause. The narrative
describes the narrator's university days in Delhi, where he would frequent food
stalls run by Tibetan refugees. The description of the food and the people serving
it is rich with detail and brings the reader into the heart of India.
The essay also explores the lives of Tibetans in different parts of India, including
Trivandrum and near Jama Masjid in Delhi. This further emphasizes the
importance of India in the Tibetan refugee experience and highlights the country's
role in providing refuge and support to the Tibetan community.
The association of dining in an Asian restaurant and promoting the recognition of a country:

- how we link the idea of a country with it’s food and cuisine.
- an opportunity to explore the cultural, economic and geopolitical aspects of the country from which
the cuisine originates.
- Dining in an Asian Restaurant often provides a window into the traditions, flavors and culinary
techniques that often promote cultural exchange and understanding, contributing to the country’s soft
power and global influence.
- It can offer us a holistic experience that goes beyond just food, gain a deeper appreciation of Tibet,
it’s culture and the Tibetan people, allowing us to connect with the rich and diverse heritage of this
region.
- The Decor, music and ambiance can transport us to Tibet. By exploring different Tibetan dishes in a
restaurant, we can learn about the regional variations within Tibet. This can enhance our understanding
of Tibetan traditions and art forms.

-
. Orientalism and the perceiving of this issue by the West:

-the attitude and concern of the people in the west about the crisis of China and
Tibet: the level of awareness and understanding about their conflict.
-the portrayal in the Western media
-limited access to information, restrictions to information
-the reluctance on the part of the Government and some of the business groups.
-Orientalism that results in the marginalization of the Tibetan voices and
perspectives.
 Limitations

1. Pacing and Length: Many critics from different countries have noted that Ghosh’s novels
can be lengthy and slow-paced, requiring patience from readers. No doubt that it allows for an
in-depth exploration of themes and rich character development, but it may deter some readers
from seeking a faster-paced narrative. In other words, while readers who are following their
academic pursuits may go to the lengths, casual and general readers who read novels for
entertainment and recreation might find themselves alienated, bored or just uninterested in
going through the details (otherwise intellectual and unnecessary compared to what modern
readers often read).
2. Excessive Detail: Just an extension to the point discussed above, Ghosh’s meticulous
attention to detail, although a strength, can at times result in an excess of information,
overwhelming readers and indirectly detracting from the overall flow of the narrative.
3. Lack of Solutions: That Ghosh highlights major problems of our time, is a fact beyond
doubt. However, as a reader, one might like to understand the possible resolutions of those
issues. Nevertheless, that part is seldom seen in the works by Ghosh. He brings us face-to-
face with pressing problems and leaves the room with many questions.
 Conclusion

● Amitav Ghosh is celebrated for his distinctive literary works that bridge the
realms of history, culture, and environmental consciousness. Ghosh's non-
fiction works and essays are equally captivating. Amitav Ghosh's writing
transcends borders and genres, delving into the complexities of history,
culture, and environmental issues.
● Both his fictional and non-fictional narratives tend to be transnational in
sweep, moving restlessly across countries, continents and oceans.
Formidably learned and meticulously researched, there is something
equally epic about the scale of scholarship that sits behind each of his
books. However, Ghosh never loses sight of the intimate human
dimension of things.
 References
● The Imam and the Indian. (n.d.). Google Books.
https://books.google.co.in/books/about/The_Imam_and_the_Indian.html?
id=JgrwCQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks
_redir=0&gboemv=1&ovdme=1&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
● Team_DesiReaders. (2023, June 27). Amitav Ghosh – Analysis of his writing style, themes and
thoughts on him as a novelist - Desi Readers. Desi Readers.
https://desireaders.in/authors/amitav-ghosh-analysis-of-his-writing-style-themes-and-thoughts-on-
him-as-a-novelist/

● Biography – Amitav Ghosh. (n.d.). https://amitavghosh.com/about/biography/

● Frontlist. (2022, November 6). Amitav Ghosh Biography and Famous Books | FrontList.
Frontlist. https://www.frontlist.in/authors/amitav-ghosh