A Tale of Two Cities: The Decline and Fall of the Ubaya-Vedantins - An outline of the History of Sri Vaishnavas of Tamil Nadu that was never Written.

About The Book: This Book Is An Expansive Outline Of History Which At The Same Time Is Also A Very Comprehensive History Of The Sri Vaishnava Community Of Tamil Nadu India. It Spans A Period Of 1000 Years — From The 11Th Century Ce To The Present Day. It Is The Historical Narrative Is Woven Around A “Tale Of Two Cities” I.E. Sri Rangam And Kanchipuram The Two Towns In South India From Where A Titanic Struggle For Ownership Power Legitimacy And Control Over Not Only Temples But Also For The Very Self-Identity Of The Sri Vaishnava Identity Was Waged For Over Seven Centuries By Two Major Sects The Tenkalais And Vadakalais. The Struggle Continues To This Day Having Been Dragged Deeply Into And Getting Increasingly Embroiled In The Larger Issues And Dynamics Of The Tamil State Socio-Politics Viz. Language Ethnology Demography And Culture. The “Tale Of Two Cities” Is A Historical Narrative About Grievous Loss Of Religious Legacy Debility Of Cultural Identity And Decline Of Economic Prosperity Arising From Social Alienation… This Book Is An Absorbing Tale Of Human Frailties.... Of Ambition Greed Deceit Envy Malice And Betrayal. About The Author: M. K. Sudarshan Is A Graduate Of The Madras University From Loyola College Chennai And A Qualified Chartered Accountant. After A 35 Year Long And Successful International Career In Corporate/Project Finance He Now Lives With His Wife In Chennai Pursuing Wider Interests In Indian Philosophy World History And Comparative Religious Literature Studies And Writing. His Related Interests Are Classical South Indian Music The History Of Hindu Temples In India And Travelling Worldwide.