Kannan Rajarathinam (born 23 August 1962) is an Indian writer, commentator, academic, and former United Nations officer. Over a career spanning nearly three decades, he held positions in peacekeeping missions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He is also known for authoring biographies of Tamil Nadu political figures including C. N. Annadurai and M. G. Ramachandran. He currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Georgia School of Law.
Early life and education.
Rajarathinam was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He completed his BSc from New College, Chennai and obtained a law degree from Madras Law College. He later pursued an LL.M. at the University of Georgia and a doctorate in international relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Career.
Rajarathinam began his career with the United Nations in 1993, working in civil affairs during the UNPROFOR peacekeeping mission in Croatia, and went on to become the head of civil affairs in Cyprus and a senior political officer in Darfur/Sudan. He later served in various roles in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Cyprus, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, North Macedonia, and Sudan.
In Cyprus, he was responsible for coordinating civilian projects in the UN buffer zone. During his tenure, he facilitated access to religious sites, including reopening a Greek Orthodox church for worship after a 30-year closure.
Writing.
Rajarathinam has contributed opinion pieces to "The Hindu", "Times of India", "The News Minute", and "Hindustan Times", covering Indian politics and international affairs.
His first book, "Anna: The Life and Times of C.N. Annadurai" (2010), was published by Penguin Random House. It was followed by "MGR: A Life" (2017), a critical biography of actor-turned-politician M. G. Ramachandran. In 2024, he authored "The DMK Years", analyzing the history of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam political party.
Personal life.
Rajarathinam married Usharani in 1989. The couple has two children. He has described himself as agnostic but expresses respect for diverse religious traditions.