Hyderabad, July 8 -- "One of the qualities of a scholar is largeness of heart and the generosity to guide the younger colleagues along." A test that Amita Dhanda prescribes for scholars in her book "M N Rao: The Renaissance Man of Law", a student of law and/or a practising professional has a twin advantage reading this precise but illustrative profile of a jurist through the eyes of an acknowledged academician whose knowledge and style are beyond argument.

Justice Rao retired over a quarter century ago and still commands tremendous respect from jurisprudential scholars and practising lawyers; it is only appropriate that as he trots into his 90s a book of this kind finds its way into the hands of the discerning reader.

It is indeed a gre...