India, April 23 -- In an era when business leaders are often known for their unicorns and startups, The Sona Story by Chitra Narayanan chronicles the less-sung but extraordinary legacy of C. Valliappa-a third-generation Chettiar entrepreneur who shaped institutions and industries through resilience, reinvention, and a unique blend of Vyaparam (business) and Dharmam (philanthropy).

From the Chettinad village of Poolankurichi, where his ancestral home Lakshmi Vilas still stands resplendent after a centennial restoration, to the software corridors of Sona Towers in Bengaluru, Valliappa's journey traces a compelling arc of transformation. Born into the illustrious Nagarathar (Nattukottai Chettiar) tradition of banking and trade, Valliappa ev...