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BOOK REVIEW: The Legend of Kuldhara by Malathi Ramachandran

This is a historical novel set in Rajasthan in village name Kuldhara, near Jaisalmer. It was abandoned and cursed nearly two hundred years ago and now what remains are broken homes. Something happened in one night that drove its people away to leave their homes and never to return. This is what Malathi Ramachandran’s book, The Legend of Kuldhara is a based on.

The plot dissects between two female characters who are associated with the Rawal King, Saailm Singh or Zaali Singh as the villagers like to call him. Showing excellency in his work, he is well trusted in his position but a cruelty shown in his trait by being a womanizer is where he tries to excel these days. He has already been married to six women and now he has laid his eyes on Pari, a young maiden, unaware of her own beauty. On a visit to Kuldhara, Saalim Singh offers a choice to villagers as they have to pay huge amounts of taxes, and give Pari’s hand to him or prepare themselves to fight the massive army of Maharawal.

Refusing to pay him taxes and rejecting Saalim’s proposal for Pari’s marriage to him, these villagers abandon their livelihood across the span of 80 villages overnight and start a journey with having no fix destination. Though set in Rajasthan, the beauty of it is clearly expressed by the author through her characters’ surrounding and words that are not empty at all. The chase starts and it is for the reader what happens in the end. Will Saalim Singh will get what he wants just to satisfy his cruel nature? Or will Pari’s future will be safe?

Written in third person narrative voice, poetically and in a relaxed manner, with carefully chosen words by the author to fit the scenery. The plot changes its pace in between but overall is smooth. The detailed characterization is the piece that binds this novel and makes it interesting for the reader. The details such as their Havelis, food, dresses and the overall background. The theme of the contrasting lifestyle of Rich against Poor is clearly shown through their emotions of anger, despair, and love which a reader can feel and observe along as I did.

The ending was bittersweet for me. Though I did expect the fate of some characters will come to a halt I did not clearly foresee of what happens to Pari at the end. It is a bit heartbreaking as if she has no control over her destiny. This book has enough twists to engross a reader who is interested in reading historical fiction based in India and explores the nitty-gritty of a regional community along.

4 out of 5

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BOOK REVIEW: The Legend of Kuldhara by Malathi Ramachandran - Confessions of a Readaholic