The Adulterer and Kama

‘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.