Review of "Khali Gharonde"

  “KHALI GHARONDE”

The finest of the lexicographers cannot even explain the meaning of “home” and “relationships” like the way author of “Khali Gharonde” has explained in his first Novel. The first Novel of Ajay Singh Rana is a delightful story of love, relationships and sacrifices for the family.

The story revolves around two protagonists; Aakash and Kajal. The story takes its readers to a roller-coaster ride of brilliant moments of his past. He recalls the first encounter with Kajal, who later becomes his wife and partner in every sorrow and happiness and how their relationship is built

from animosity to love. He recalls the motherly love and how he fulfills each and every promise which he did to his mother before her death.

But as the time passes, their family is also decimated with the gusty winds of changing relationships and Aakash becomes the brutal victim of the blunt and surly behavior of his family members. His family members forget all the sacrifices which he and his wife does for them for whole of their life and in the end they are left deserted alone with an ocean of tears in their eyes to support them. The imprudent approach of his brothers and the silence of his father sow the seeds for massacre of harmony in the relationships. He expects his brother and father to consider him in the all the important decisions but in the mist of greed, they forget him and shatter the family into pieces. 

Completely unprepared for such moments in life, Aakash is left with no other option but to walk alone with his wife and son Aniket and desolates his family. Once again, he along with his wife Kajal sets out to retrieve the relationships, traveling across time and forgetting those astringent moments of past but their every endeavor becomes futile in front of intrusive, boorish and barbaric behavior of his family members who are camouflaged under the cataract of greed and money.

Kajal remains with him, serving as a soul mate, teacher and most importantly, life partner. But as they draw advance in life, annihilation of that relationship and bond between Aakash and his family shakes them both to the core. But the loss of their hopes and dreams is not all that awaits them at the end. the life of Aakash rejuvenates once again with joy after the arrival of a new member in their family; their daughter, Vasundhara.

The complex changing dynamism of family relationships has been put in such an elementary fashion that it is extremely difficult to put it down before completing it in one go. The author is clearly an excellent storyteller, having crafted a fascinating and emotionally nuanced story featuring Aakash and Kajal with an unusual background which is full of flashbacks and a romance in which both protagonists are deep-seated

Ajay Singh Rana has made a very strong debut with his first novel and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of his work. The characters are strongly drawn and the romance is well-developed, with advances and set-backs along the way that add depth to the relationship and strengthen the feeling of a growing emotional connection between the both the protagonists. It’s highly accomplished for a first novel, and has convinced me that Mr Ajay Singh Rana is an author to watch in the coming future.