The legend of Kuldhara
Author- Malathi Ramachandran
Publisher- Niyogi, Rs 395
This is a novel that is so seeped in mystique and intrigue that it renders you speechless and motionless, writes SANYA DANG
I’ll go ahead and say it at the very start — this is one of the most beautiful novels I have read this year. It is a step ahead of all the bestseller lists — a novel so seeped in intrigue and mystique that it renders you speechless and motionless in a way only a beautiful sad song can. The language of the novel is so poetic and dreamlike, as enchanting as the melodies of the ravanhatha instrument in the hands of the soothsayer.
The soothsayer is a central character who adds to the mystical aura of the narrative — he weaves prophecies in his song that come alive as the story progresses. He is the one who knows it all — the destiny of each village and villager. He gazes at the stars and slips into his passionate, soul stirring music which reveal the events about to happen. His warnings are threatening yet fascinating.
The pathos of the narrative comes to the fore through the poignant prose, ethereal descriptions of the setting and backdrop, the characterisation and above all — the twist in the tale. Even though the twist is not fully justified, it breaks us from within and we feel wronged — that is the extent to which we start identifying with the characters. The title of the novel refers to the (in)famous curse of Kuldhara which could be a fact or fiction depending on who you choose to believe. History mentions many reasons why Kuldhara, the prosperous village near Jaisalmer was abandoned by its people. It could be due to natural disasters like an earthquake, water scarcity or the torture by Saalim Singh on the villagers. Many choose to believe the latter — this legend not only makes this place a famous tourist spot but also makes it a spicy story for the tour guides to attract foreign and native travellers. The subtitle makes the genre more clear — ‘A Historical Novel set in Rajasthan’. It can be categorised as historical fiction / historical romance as it alludes to the legend in a novel (new) way. It then becomes a fusion and this element of questionability adds to its overall appeal just as any Dan Brown thriller does.
The blurb gives a very intriguing picture, creates an interest in the reader to discover the forgotten world of Kuldhara and go beyond the confines of time and space of the world we inhabit. This poetic prose gives a feel of the novel’s spellbinding lingual quality. The questions posed here also point to the element of suspense and mystery. The cover too has that magical appeal — a veiled woman in a ghagra leading her camel over the vast expanse of the limitless desert under a moonlit sky. The dedication is shrouded in the same mystique as the author’s note and the prophecies that dot the narrative at regular intervals. The glossary at the end explains the local words, phrases, typical Indian rituals, royal titles, regional dishes etc with clear, concise definitions. These wonderfully succinct translations are a delight to read even for the reader well versed in both languages and Indian culture. It is a very informative device for those unfamiliar with this local flavour.
The curse of the Paliwals, they say, still haunts the abandoned village of Kuldhara — the fact that nobody has been able to reoccupy the village or rebuild it adds to the legend. It has a reputation of being haunted and nearby villagers say it is a ground where paranormal activity takes place. The legend most people believe is that the lascivious Diwan of Jaisalmer (Zaalim/ Saalim Singh) chose the village chief’s daughter to be part of his harem. This was the last straw on the camel’s back (pun intended) and the villagers decided to flee in the dead of the night to escape from this dishonour. The Paliwal Brahmins of Kuldhara were orthodox and kept their women away from public life — to keep their pride intact, they took this difficult decision.
The language is par excellence — the tonality and music of the words have their own tale to tell, figures of speech abound in the narrative giving it a beauty that reminds you of the beautiful palaces and princesses of the kingdoms of the desert. The words are carefully chosen and penned, intermingling with the backdrop, setting and time period seamlessly. Nowhere does the dialogue seem absurd or unbecoming of the character who speaks it. The author’s research is meticulous and her storytelling has a magical charm.
The folklore, myths, superstitions, local customs, traditions all come alive in the most beautiful way through the writer’s detailed and sensuous way of story- weaving. The Paliwal desertion can be compared to the mass migration that occurred in 1947, when two nations were formed and people were crossing the border. Such quotes abound in partition literature — “It was like a nightmare from which Pari would never awake…leaving Kuldhara in the middle of the night like thieves…as if they had done something wrong …”
The main characters — Pari, Pratap and Parvati are all etched with great finesse. The reader feels empathy and sympathy for all of them, we identify with them and feel their pain and pleasure. Pari’s pain of leaving her home in Kuldhara and living in exile can be compared to Parvati’s pain at being forgotten and exiled from Saalim’s chambers and life. Their lives are like parallel narratives — they are impregnated around the same time and share similar thoughts and emotions. In the end, they come face to face and one is helped and saved by the other. That is when their stories diverge and move in separate directions.
The end may seem abrupt or open ended, the twist unjustified but the novel’s poetic charm will continue to haunt you long after you have finished reading it. A few passages in the narrative seem to describe the charisma of the novel itself — “There was something strangely magical about being under the stars together, without a sense of time and space, suspended as it were.” A novel so rich in detail, poetics, culture, intrigue, mystique, magic, romance and allure should not be missed.