Rising from ground zero

Book review of Karunanidhi: A Life

Muthuvel Karunanidhi strode like a colossus in Indian politics for more than 50 years. He never lost an election, believed strongly in the institutions and values of democracy, became chief minister of Tamil Nadu five times and shaped political thought, melding it with administrative policy in a way that can never be replicated. As a scholar and journalist, A S Panneerselvan got the enviable chance to interview Karunanidhi multiple times. This book, a biography of Karunanidhi, is a product of those labours.It is superb. 

Let us be clear. Mr Panneerselvan’s view of Karunanidhi is not that of a disinterested academic observer.