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Cut-outs, Caste and Cines Stars [Jan 16, 2008] Vaasanthi
Language: English
Pages: 299
Introduction
I got to write this book quite by accident. It would not have occurred to me write in English, in the first place. I have been writing in Tamil for quite some time, and worked as the editor of the Tamil edition of India Today magazine for nine of the most exciting years of my writing career. It was David Davidar who flung down the gauntlet most unexpectedly when I met him two years ago at his office in New Delhi. As I was casually narrating to him my journalistic experiences in Tamil Nadu, he suddenly asked me, 'Why don't you write about the oddities of Tamil Nadu politics for Penguin?' I was not prepared for such a proposal and therefore did not know what to say. 'There has been no such book written as yet,' he insisted. 'I cannot write an academic book,' I said, horrified at the thought of a voluminous book with footnotes. 'We do not want academic stuff,' he said, 'Write from your experiences as a journalist.'
So in a moment of weakness I agreed to write. Though the subject has always fascinated me, it was challenging. I was a Tamil writer and journalist who had always lived outside Tamil Nadu until I went to Chennai for the India Today assignment. I had grown up entirely in Bangalore at my grandparents house, and visited Tamil Nadu frequently to attend weddings of my numerous cousins, who mostly lived in Chennai, and every summer also to visit my parents who lived further south, in a small town, kovilpatti, near Ettayapuram, the birth place of poet Subramanya Bharati.
I have long nursed a great fascination for Tamil Nadu the splash of colour and vibrancy that saw in the attire of Tamil women, the glitter of jewellery, the heady smell of jasmine adorning the hair, was all v
Pages: 299
Introduction
I got to write this book quite by accident. It would not have occurred to me write in English, in the first place. I have been writing in Tamil for quite some time, and worked as the editor of the Tamil edition of India Today magazine for nine of the most exciting years of my writing career. It was David Davidar who flung down the gauntlet most unexpectedly when I met him two years ago at his office in New Delhi. As I was casually narrating to him my journalistic experiences in Tamil Nadu, he suddenly asked me, 'Why don't you write about the oddities of Tamil Nadu politics for Penguin?' I was not prepared for such a proposal and therefore did not know what to say. 'There has been no such book written as yet,' he insisted. 'I cannot write an academic book,' I said, horrified at the thought of a voluminous book with footnotes. 'We do not want academic stuff,' he said, 'Write from your experiences as a journalist.'
So in a moment of weakness I agreed to write. Though the subject has always fascinated me, it was challenging. I was a Tamil writer and journalist who had always lived outside Tamil Nadu until I went to Chennai for the India Today assignment. I had grown up entirely in Bangalore at my grandparents house, and visited Tamil Nadu frequently to attend weddings of my numerous cousins, who mostly lived in Chennai, and every summer also to visit my parents who lived further south, in a small town, kovilpatti, near Ettayapuram, the birth place of poet Subramanya Bharati.
I have long nursed a great fascination for Tamil Nadu the splash of colour and vibrancy that saw in the attire of Tamil women, the glitter of jewellery, the heady smell of jasmine adorning the hair, was all v
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Vaasanthi
126 books30 followersVaasanthi (born as Pankajam on 26 July 1941) is an Indian journalist and writer.
She got her degree in English literature and history at Mysore University and a Master's degree at Oslo University in Norway. She served as the editor of India Today, Tamil edition for nine years. Many of her essays on art, culture, and politics have been seriously focused on the emergence of a number of articles and created debates.
Vaasanthi has written a number of lectures and reports on women's issues and she is also a political analyst. Penguin Books published a book in English (Cut-outs, Caste and Cines Stars) with their standings in the political history of Tamil Nadu during the time she worked as the editor of India Today.
She also wrote the biography of J. Jayalalithaa and M. Karunanidhi. She has written around 40 novels and six short story collections.
She got her degree in English literature and history at Mysore University and a Master's degree at Oslo University in Norway. She served as the editor of India Today, Tamil edition for nine years. Many of her essays on art, culture, and politics have been seriously focused on the emergence of a number of articles and created debates.
Vaasanthi has written a number of lectures and reports on women's issues and she is also a political analyst. Penguin Books published a book in English (Cut-outs, Caste and Cines Stars) with their standings in the political history of Tamil Nadu during the time she worked as the editor of India Today.
She also wrote the biography of J. Jayalalithaa and M. Karunanidhi. She has written around 40 novels and six short story collections.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 20, 2021
This one is again going to be a very subjective review reflecting my biased review of this book. Having grown up in a very consciously dravidian and highly politically opinionated household, this book came as a "highlights" version of TN politics that I've grown up knowing. Vaasanthi has tried to present a non-biased download of all the significant drama that went down over the last 80 years that has shaped Tamil Nadu politics. The biggest take aways for me was: how not much has changed in the last decade especially following the demise of Jaya and Kalaignar; how the book (released 2006) is still very relevant and fresh and at the time, has even made a few good predictions about future political climate; it addressed my recent dilemma on belonging to the BC community and using my voice against the background existence of upper caste dominance vs using it to lift up the MBC class. I realise the gap between urban and rural politics. In south indian villages, I would make the dangerous percentage of "upper caste" people that engages in discrimination against SC/ST/Dalits/MBC. What Periyar and Anna had begun needs to organically morph into a united fight to break the oppression that these communities feel. The quote "A reformist movement became reactionary" captures the essence of how the two dravidian parties' philosophy has been morphed to ensure vote banks. Very relatable content where the book compared the fierce loyalty TN has for its language against the prejudice associated with one's caste/religion and how periyar had addressed this. Another aha moment for me from some of my past discussions.
Also, because of events have been laid of chronologically I could identify the impact of Rajiv Gandhi assassination and LTTEs influence on TN politics and would call it the most defining and deciding turn point. If you have always enjoyed being on top of the eccentric drama of politics, you will enjoy this book.
Also, because of events have been laid of chronologically I could identify the impact of Rajiv Gandhi assassination and LTTEs influence on TN politics and would call it the most defining and deciding turn point. If you have always enjoyed being on top of the eccentric drama of politics, you will enjoy this book.
July 25, 2022
“Deideologization of politics is not a tragedy. It is a necessity.”
May 12, 2018
Written by well known author and journo, Vaasanti, this book gives an insight into the making of Tamil Nadu as a state and the political ideology that shaped it.
The Dravidian movement that started out as Anti-Brahminical,almost atheist, has now degenerated into adulation of its leaders - Karunanidhi/MGR/Jayalalitha.
Periyar, Annadurai, Karunanidhi - 3 names that every Tamilian revered at a time. From its supposedly pro-Dalit beginning to an idolatory upper middle class standing now. How the egos of once bosom buddies, MGR and Karunanidhi, came in the way of creating an unbeatable partnership.
The rise of the phoenix bird - Jayalalitha, the charming, erudite, political novice into a calculating, vengeful, powerful 'Amma'. The ping pong rise and fall of both Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha - considerations of family and friends playing havoc with their ideals.
There is hardly any difference in the ideology that shaped the major parties- the Self respect movement or the Dravidian movement. But instead of doing away with casteism and its inherent bias, caste plays such an important part in Tamil Nadu that even sub-castes do not inter marry whether they be OBC or Dalit.
How Tamil language as a deity and source of pride was used to inspire a population to discard the use of other ' foreign' languages notably - Hindi and English. The fall-out of such an action in the, non-industry readiness of such graduates, how English is gaining momentum now even in the hinterlands as a result of that.
For me, the most interesting part was the rivalry between K and J. The massive amassal of wealth by both sides, the manipulative and much publicised arrests of both, the court cases, the goondaism associated with their cadres, has left TN with a Hobson's choice. Dr. Ramadoss with his PMK, Vaiko who was a one time protege of K and the rise of MDMK, INC, BJP are all side actors in the play between these 2 leading stars.
As this book was brought out in 2006, J's death and the confusion it has brought about is not dealt with. I hope Vasanti comes out with a sequel to this book, as it will be very interesting to know the eddies shaping TN right now.
This is the perfect book for someone who has absolutely no idea about TN politics, to get to know the movers and shakers.
My rating is 5 *
PS: i read this book about 2 months back, so might have missed out on certain things. Mannichidange
The Dravidian movement that started out as Anti-Brahminical,almost atheist, has now degenerated into adulation of its leaders - Karunanidhi/MGR/Jayalalitha.
Periyar, Annadurai, Karunanidhi - 3 names that every Tamilian revered at a time. From its supposedly pro-Dalit beginning to an idolatory upper middle class standing now. How the egos of once bosom buddies, MGR and Karunanidhi, came in the way of creating an unbeatable partnership.
The rise of the phoenix bird - Jayalalitha, the charming, erudite, political novice into a calculating, vengeful, powerful 'Amma'. The ping pong rise and fall of both Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha - considerations of family and friends playing havoc with their ideals.
There is hardly any difference in the ideology that shaped the major parties- the Self respect movement or the Dravidian movement. But instead of doing away with casteism and its inherent bias, caste plays such an important part in Tamil Nadu that even sub-castes do not inter marry whether they be OBC or Dalit.
How Tamil language as a deity and source of pride was used to inspire a population to discard the use of other ' foreign' languages notably - Hindi and English. The fall-out of such an action in the, non-industry readiness of such graduates, how English is gaining momentum now even in the hinterlands as a result of that.
For me, the most interesting part was the rivalry between K and J. The massive amassal of wealth by both sides, the manipulative and much publicised arrests of both, the court cases, the goondaism associated with their cadres, has left TN with a Hobson's choice. Dr. Ramadoss with his PMK, Vaiko who was a one time protege of K and the rise of MDMK, INC, BJP are all side actors in the play between these 2 leading stars.
As this book was brought out in 2006, J's death and the confusion it has brought about is not dealt with. I hope Vasanti comes out with a sequel to this book, as it will be very interesting to know the eddies shaping TN right now.
This is the perfect book for someone who has absolutely no idea about TN politics, to get to know the movers and shakers.
My rating is 5 *
PS: i read this book about 2 months back, so might have missed out on certain things. Mannichidange
September 23, 2022
I really appreciate this overview of Tamil politics in the 90s-00s but the jumping back and forth chronologically was very confusing for me. And reading this in 2022 made some of it feel like a time capsule of ancient lore, so many of the biggest players here have since passed away.
February 24, 2022
An interesting read that gives a good overview of TN political history, but I'm not sure if one can claim that the book is completely unbiased
April 17, 2016
Excellent introduction to the complexities of Tamil politics by the former editor of the Tamil edition of India Today who spent 10 years from the early 1990s to the 2000s covering the state. Not only a comprehensive look at the Jayalalitha-Karunadhi rivalry which has dominated the state's politics scene for the last 20 years but also a thoughtful examination of the role of the Dravidian movement and ideology and the legacy it has had on the state through the dominance of the two main Dravidian parties since the late 1960s which sets Tamil Nadu apart from other Indian states.
Only regret was that the book stops at the 2006 assembly elections with the octagenarian Karunaidhi once again becoming CM. An invaluable volume for those interested in Tamil Nadu, the Dravidian movement and the interplay between politics and caste in India.
Only regret was that the book stops at the 2006 assembly elections with the octagenarian Karunaidhi once again becoming CM. An invaluable volume for those interested in Tamil Nadu, the Dravidian movement and the interplay between politics and caste in India.
Read
June 20, 2021The book provides succinct and comprehensive introduction to Tamil Nadu politics. However, it is a bit biased (the author seems to like Karunanidhi more than Jayalalithaa though they each had their flaws) and the editing is a bit shabby at times. A decent read overall, especially for someone who has no idea of TN politics. Even as someone who grew up under Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi's reigns, I found lots of important and interesting facts/insights.
June 24, 2021
I was intrigued by the word 'dravidian movement' and wanted to read more on the politics behind it. The book gave many interesting insights into the contemporary tamil socio-political history. The politics of 'tamil tai' is full of contradictions. I realised upon reading the book how superficially tamil society is so different yet stripped of the definite form it has taken, essentially the same issues of caste, patriarchy and politics drive it and the ideas of social justice and dignity shape it. As someone who is fascinated by the psyche of societies, it was a treat to have a glimpse of the tamil worldview. Though not a tamil cultural guide by any means, the book was enough to kindle me into understanding tamil culture more deeply.
I read it while Family man 2 got released. The authentic flavour of the tamil scenes in the series together with the knowledge from the book was a good initial combination.
I read it while Family man 2 got released. The authentic flavour of the tamil scenes in the series together with the knowledge from the book was a good initial combination.
April 14, 2021
3.5 Stars.
The book offers a bird's eye view of Tamil Nadu politics from Periyar to the DMK in 2006. The initial chapters detailing the history of the movement and the rise of the stalwarts of Dravidian Politics failed to engage the reader as they were shoddy in some places with blatant opinionated writing. The succeeding chapters on the other hand which were more contemporary in comparison, brought out the reporter in the author and gave a riveting experience that took reader right to the streets where the Political games were unfurling. This book offers a superb idea to a novice wishing to understand politics in Tamilnadu (if that is even possible).
The book offers a bird's eye view of Tamil Nadu politics from Periyar to the DMK in 2006. The initial chapters detailing the history of the movement and the rise of the stalwarts of Dravidian Politics failed to engage the reader as they were shoddy in some places with blatant opinionated writing. The succeeding chapters on the other hand which were more contemporary in comparison, brought out the reporter in the author and gave a riveting experience that took reader right to the streets where the Political games were unfurling. This book offers a superb idea to a novice wishing to understand politics in Tamilnadu (if that is even possible).
April 6, 2022
I think this is a must for those who want to know the exact history of TN politics. Especially this generation. This book is not slanted. That is what I like about this book. It does not exaggerate any views or anybody's image. It concisely expresses the exact news. As the author was a journalist, she did a good job of giving an unbiased view of Tamil Nadu's political history.
It equally criticizes both the political barons of TN, M. Karunanidhi & J. Jayalalithaa and Breaks the facade of a god-like portrayal of them by the parties' minions.
It equally criticizes both the political barons of TN, M. Karunanidhi & J. Jayalalithaa and Breaks the facade of a god-like portrayal of them by the parties' minions.
April 11, 2024
This collection of essays on the world of Tamil politics paints a scenic picture of the tumultuous political history of Tamil Nadu through some of its fundamental movements and iconic characters. I found the initial chapters very immersive as the later essays, though still engaging, are a little repetitive owing to the non-chronological narration of the events. A great starting point to understand Tamil Nadu's convoluted political landscape.
April 10, 2018
A swift and concise read about the politics in the state of Tamizh Nadu. Vaasanthi covers all the major events in the political landscape of the state since '91. My only issue with the book was that I felt it was critical of Jayalalitha and was soft on Karunanidhi. This might be because of author's personal dislike towards Amma.
July 4, 2017
A useful resource for a bird's eye view of Tamil politics (and how it was informed by society and ideology) over the 20th century, albeit slightly dated. The book could do with updating especially given the tumult of the last decade, and better editing.
November 21, 2018
A great read! Anyone who’s curious about the history of Tamil politics should definitely read this book. The next time when you see a huge cutout of politicians, I’m sure your perspective would change.
January 19, 2026
It was a little disappointing that some events (such as the Sri Lankan civil war, MGR's rule) and people were not covered in detail when the author was happy to give detailed chapters on some other instances (such as the multiple times Jayalalithaa made a non political events all about herself).
January 17, 2022
3.5 stars.
May 20, 2024
Very interesting read
February 23, 2026
A good start to know about Tamil Nadu politics.
March 26, 2025
A good introduction into the political history of Tamil Nadu. Good for someone who is completely new to TN politics but for someone who has knowledge already, this book might be not too detailed
February 17, 2026
Good interesting overview of Tamil Politics. Easy read with a simple language. Recommended for anyone who wishes to know TN politics. Please keep in mind it covers upto 2006-07.
December 10, 2016
This wasn't a fantastic book, but it's one of the few books that covers the topic in a non-academic way suitable for a generally informed reader. The book covers events that happened but doesn't put much effort into analyzing them. Good for a basic intro, the only book I've seen that can serve this role (in English, I assume). And to be fair, I haven't seen any good (book length) detailed studies of politics from 1920's-present in Tamil Nadu.
August 14, 2011
Gives a good back ground about the tamil nadu politics. its a good book to start in case you are looking to learn more about the state.
August 1, 2012
Pro-Karunanidhi,at times. A decent introduction to Tamilnadu politics in English.
January 2, 2016
An Excellent analysis along with political history.
April 23, 2016
Very interesting and informative though a little dated, as it was written in 2006. It certainly helps an outsider deepen an understanding of Tamil politics.
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October 31, 2016A perfect book for would-be politicial analysts and a basic reference book for seasoned political observers. Vasanthi explains 100 years of Dravidian politics the way it is. Larger than life !
October 27, 2015
Right book for the beginners to know about TN politics
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews