On the shelf

By Roopa Swaminathan
Rupa Charitavali Series

Rs 150 each

WHEN the history of Tamil cinema itself is said to be divided into the era before and after Sivaji Ganeshan, a slim volume of 68 pages profiling Ganeshan’s life might seem rather trite. Instead, what the book offers is the extraordinary story of a nine-year-old Ganeshan running away from home to join a travelling theatre group and subsequently becoming a legend in Tamil films. Similarly, the glossy volume on MGR, hailing from Sri Lanka but adored by millions of Tamils, is divided into two sections — the actor and the politician. Overall, a glossy glimpse into the lives of these Tamil legends.

— DIVYA SRIVASTAVA

The Ultimate Business QuizBook
Penguin, Rs 195

WRITING a quizbook is only the next logical step for the host of the country’s longest running corporate quiz show, and so Derek O’-Big-Idea Brian has done precisely that. Brian, who beamed into our homes as the host of the famous Bournvita Quiz Contest — which resulted in the Bournvita General Knowledge Book — has done the same here. The first volume contains 1,000 questions, which give the reader a fair idea of the happenings in the world of business. To do the same, just pick this book and quiz yourself!

— — ARUNDHATI BAKSHI