What do you think?
Rate this book
MGR: The Man and The Myth
A political biography of M.G. Ramachandran, 1917-1987, a former chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
It was a period of turbulence, epoch-making in some ways and calamitous in others. Ranging from the murky goings-on among the satraps of the last 2 decades in the Tamil Nadu political sweepstakes, to the power packed drama of taming the Tamil Tigers, Mr. Mohandas turns the light on the highlights of MGR’s political career.
This candid account of the troubled times is a compelling though sordid tale of the sycophancy of MGR’s men, the insane immolations and the political machinations. Above all, the towering persona of MGR, his native understanding of it all, and his sphinx-like attitude to the tide of events that overwhelmed him – from the glorious to the catastrophic.
What emerges is a touching portrait of a larger-than-life MGR seen at close quarters: as a man, at once formidable and endearing.
It was a period of turbulence, epoch-making in some ways and calamitous in others. Ranging from the murky goings-on among the satraps of the last 2 decades in the Tamil Nadu political sweepstakes, to the power packed drama of taming the Tamil Tigers, Mr. Mohandas turns the light on the highlights of MGR’s political career.
This candid account of the troubled times is a compelling though sordid tale of the sycophancy of MGR’s men, the insane immolations and the political machinations. Above all, the towering persona of MGR, his native understanding of it all, and his sphinx-like attitude to the tide of events that overwhelmed him – from the glorious to the catastrophic.
What emerges is a touching portrait of a larger-than-life MGR seen at close quarters: as a man, at once formidable and endearing.
181 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
11 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 6, 2015
More than thousand authors have written about MGR, mostly in Tamil and seldom in English. Recently I read a book this book on MGR titled MGR The Man and The Myth, 1995 Edition. I have read the Tamil version of this book during my College years (titled MGR Nijamum Nizhalum).
The book was authored by DGP Mohandas a.k.a. MGR’s eyes and ears, a trouble shooter and bogey man, this book some what gives the ring side view of MGR’s rule. He had first met MGR in 1969 when he was Superintendent of Police for Madurai region during the shooting of Mattukkara Velan and then after some years he was serving CBI in New Delhi he returned back during the hearing of Sarkaria Commission in 1976. From then on till MGR’s death he was beside MGR and he knows how well MGR administered Tamil Nadu.
Many authors have said from their respective point of view, DGP Mohandas book about MGR is a point of view from the his side, how MGR played his part, how secretive and how he kept his cards close to his chest. To make clear what I say is that many writers when they write about MGR were already turned Devotee in some way or other and MGR have helped in their problem or they got any financial or any support from him, but Mohandas point of view is not a Devotee point of view, and entirely differs from other writers.
Lot of interesting incidents have been written in the book, how MGR tackled some different situation with absolute ease even his educational level is basic. Mohandas accepts that he is not able to judge MGR correctly every time. He also says that MGR’s face does not show any reaction even the matter was serious one. Whenever MGR has to take a decision he will close his eyes and be in a trance state.
The cover of the book with ADMK colour background and an Enigmatic smile of MGR is the best choosen image for the book. He always says that MGR smile is bewitching.
MGR often referred him as Namma DIG to his security men and his household. A different book makes us feel that still MGR is Enigma.
MGR Roop (srimgr.com)
The book was authored by DGP Mohandas a.k.a. MGR’s eyes and ears, a trouble shooter and bogey man, this book some what gives the ring side view of MGR’s rule. He had first met MGR in 1969 when he was Superintendent of Police for Madurai region during the shooting of Mattukkara Velan and then after some years he was serving CBI in New Delhi he returned back during the hearing of Sarkaria Commission in 1976. From then on till MGR’s death he was beside MGR and he knows how well MGR administered Tamil Nadu.
Many authors have said from their respective point of view, DGP Mohandas book about MGR is a point of view from the his side, how MGR played his part, how secretive and how he kept his cards close to his chest. To make clear what I say is that many writers when they write about MGR were already turned Devotee in some way or other and MGR have helped in their problem or they got any financial or any support from him, but Mohandas point of view is not a Devotee point of view, and entirely differs from other writers.
Lot of interesting incidents have been written in the book, how MGR tackled some different situation with absolute ease even his educational level is basic. Mohandas accepts that he is not able to judge MGR correctly every time. He also says that MGR’s face does not show any reaction even the matter was serious one. Whenever MGR has to take a decision he will close his eyes and be in a trance state.
The cover of the book with ADMK colour background and an Enigmatic smile of MGR is the best choosen image for the book. He always says that MGR smile is bewitching.
MGR often referred him as Namma DIG to his security men and his household. A different book makes us feel that still MGR is Enigma.
MGR Roop (srimgr.com)
January 17, 2019
The book is fascinating for the fact that its author, Mr. Mohandas, appears to be a no non-sense police officer working in a very high capacity under a CM who can trust or distrust another man at his own whim. To MGR's credit he was rarely in a peaceful situation throughout his political career and hence he probably had no place for elaborate counsel or educated stances. MGR was a man full of endless will power and great intuition, so it appears from the book. How far can charisma, intuition and fluctuating trust, the pillars of support for MGR, take him in his political sojourn? They indeed took him a long way to stupendous victories!
An excellent overview of MGR's political calculations, the state of affairs in our Tamizh Nadu during his tenure and broad strokes of the LTTE debacle brought on us.
Some minuses - lack of details on important decisions taken (apologize to the fact that he needs to keep secrecy), incoherent passages on personal lives, jestful passages in the beginning chapters that appear odd and slightly out of context, an apparent urge to finish the book as it is finally. In sum total average editing betrays the otherwise excellent book.
A must read for the hero's fans.
An excellent overview of MGR's political calculations, the state of affairs in our Tamizh Nadu during his tenure and broad strokes of the LTTE debacle brought on us.
Some minuses - lack of details on important decisions taken (apologize to the fact that he needs to keep secrecy), incoherent passages on personal lives, jestful passages in the beginning chapters that appear odd and slightly out of context, an apparent urge to finish the book as it is finally. In sum total average editing betrays the otherwise excellent book.
A must read for the hero's fans.
June 30, 2020
Firslty the author a DGP -a typiclas corrupt shameless low lfie tamil. no morals.
MGR is a criminal. Many know this. the famous movie m r radha ( who has a son and daughter , also in movies. doing well. thnak youvery much) went to prison for trying to kill MGR.
it is bad luck ofr india M R radha failed. Rest is the bad story of India.
MGR the pimp ahs been awarded bharat ratna. show the immorla culture in india. Gandhiji -yes.
gandhiji and gandhi. h o res.
shame on book publisher, author. mohandas shld be beaten to pulp along with other rogue DGP'S of madurai. for illegla activites -sleaze, liqour, movies.
including the entire AIADMK lot.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews