Kama Sutra(Deluxe)

Sage Vatsyayana's Kama Sutra is an ancient treatise on man-woman relationships. Though written over 2,000 years ago, its relevance is perennial, since, of all life's expressions, sexual gratification remains one of the most fundamental. The Kama Sutra examines the life force or prana of which the physical and the spiritual are equally potent aspects. While exploring the art of fulfilling sexual relationships, it stresses equallyon self-restraint and consideration for the partner. This book takes a contemporary look at the Kama Sutra. Rare miniatures, gouache and tantric paintings, and sculptures on ivory panels from the renowned archives of Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, UK, are published for the first time: other works ? suffused with the erotic ? are selected from Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK: Werner Forman Archive, London, UK and the collection of Lance Dane. The introduction by Dr Alka Pande guides the reader towards the appropriate mindset required to imbibe the magic of the text. About The Author: Dr Alka Pande has specialised in the history of art and in critical arttheory. She was Head of the Department of Fine Arts in PanjabUniversity, Chandigarh. Her published works include From Mustard Fieldsto Disco Lights, a book that studied the folk music and performers ofPunjab, and Indian Erotica. Presentlyan art consultant withIndiaHabitat Centre, Delhi, and curator of its Visual Arts Gallery, she wasborn in Calcutta but later acquired her academic experience from theuniversities of London, Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh. Dr Pande combinesher expert study of the arts with an interest in music and dance, yogaand cooking. She lives in New Delhi with her husband and daughter. Lance Dane is a renowned photographer who has devoted over five decads to the study and interpretation of works of Indian art. He has visited shrines, temples, museums and private collections ?