Tamil Characters

Book excerpt: A cultural and political history of Tamilnadu through its most colourful personalities. The fascinating history of Tamilnadu comes alive in this archive of cultural and political knowledge, thoughtfully assembled by the prize-winning historian A. R. Venkatachalapathy. From glamorous film stars turned politicians such as Jayalalithaa and M. G. Ramachandran to a revolutionary anti-caste movement that began over a century ago and the ongoing struggle against Hindi hegemony, Tamilnadu has at once reshaped the mainstream and profoundly influenced the trajectory of the nation. As informative as it is entertaining, Tamil Characters is an essential deep dive into the modern history of India’s most idiosyncratic state.