Indian society embraced sexuality openly until recent centuries, with adultery seen as enhancing sexual satisfaction. Alka Pande's book showcases pre-modern Indian art depicting adulterous encounters between married individuals and courtesans, offering a glimpse into secret, subversive love.
ISBN: 9789354472039
GTIN: 9789354472039
| Author | Pande, Alka |
| Pub Date | 10/10/2022 |
| Binding | Hardback |
| Pages | 72 |
| Country of Origin | India |
‘Until recent centuries-when Indian society turned prudish and hypocritical-the sexual sensibilities of society were derived from the kamashastras, which give sexuality pride of place in human experience… And in the kamashastras, it appears that adultery is considered almost a prerequisite for good, uninhibited sex that satisfies both partners.’ In this delightfully mischievous book, a celebrated scholar of Indian art, aesthetics and sexuality brings us a selection of images from pre-modern India of men and women engaged in sex that is most probably adulterous: married men and women-and courtesans-having quick or leisurely secret liaisons. With a brilliant introduction providing the context, Alka Pande gives us thrilling visual evidence of secret, subversive love.
