The Complete Illustrated Kama Sutra [Hardcover]

Lance Dane (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2003

A fully illustrated Kama Sutra from the extraordinary and rare art collection of Lance Dane

• The first complete translation to illustrate all 64 sexual postures described in the Kama Sutra

• Includes 269 rare images

• Composed by one of the world’s foremost scholars of the Kama Sutra and Indian art

The erotic sentiments described in the Hindu love classic the Kama Sutra constitute the most famous work on sex ever created. Written almost 2,000 years ago, the Kama Sutra deals with all aspects of sexual life, including the principles and techniques of sexual pleasure and how to best achieve ecstatic expression of life’s beauty.

In this complete and illustrated guide Lance Dane accompanies the Kama Sutra text with 269 illustrations and great works of art that encompass coins, palm leaf manuscripts, sculptures, ancient toys, jewelry, architecture, ivory combs, birch bark, cloth, paintings, frescoes, and scrolls. Gathered from museums and private collections around the world—as well as the author’s own collection of over 300,000 photographs—these rare images clearly illustrate all 64 sexual positions and the erotic instructions set forth in the Kama Sutra. The result is a dazzling and sensuous reading experience through which the teachings of the Kama Sutra spring to life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gives us the dazzling artwork from museums and private collections worldwide... fascinating...sex has not changed in over 2,000 years."
(Lois Mark Stalvey, Red Rock News, January 28, 2004 )

"A new, gorgeously illustrated edition of the famous Hindu Classic."
(Erotic Review, Dec/Jan 2004, Issue 58 )

"It is not, in fact, a pornographic work, but a book depicting the art of living for the civilized and refined citizen, finding its expression in the sphere of love, eroticism, and the sensual pleasures of life. . . . Rather than calling the Kama Sutra pornography and hiding it on the highest shelf of their bookcases, Western readers should see it as the expression of a refined, sophisticated people on the art of love."
(Audrey Chaix, Vulpes Libris, Jan 2010 )

From the Inside Flap

SEXUALITY

Completely illustrated for the first time, the Hindu love classic the Kama Sutra continues the most famous work on sex ever created. Written almost 2,000 years ago, the Kama Sutra deals with all aspects of sexual life, including the principles and techniques of sexual pleasure and how to best achieve ecstatic union.

In this complete and illustrated guide Lance Dane accompanies the Kama Sutra text with 250 illustrations and great works of art from coins, palm leaf manuscripts, sculptures, ancient toys, jewelry, architecture, ivory combs, birch bark, cloth, paintings, frescoes, and scrolls. Gathered from museums and private collections around the world--as well the author's own collection of over 300,000 photographs--these rare images clearly illustrate all 64 sexual positions and the erotic instructions set forth in the Kama Sutra. The result is a dazzling and sensuous reading experience through which the teachings of the Kama Sutra spring to life.

LANCE DANE is a writer, photographer, renowned scholar, and the founder of the Sanskriti Museum of Everyday Art in Delhi. He has dedicated over five decades to researching and archiving all aspects of the Kama Sutra and other pre-Vedic and Vedic classical erotica. His private collections of over 9,000 books on Indian art and architecture and his 300,000 archival photographs are housed in the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts in New Delhi. He lives in India.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (September 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892811382
• ISBN-13: 978-0892811380
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Gender & Sexuality
  • #46 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Sex

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Illustrated Kama Sutra - Lance Dane, January 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Illustrated Kama Sutra (Hardcover)

Of the versions available in bookstores, this one I thought to be most comprehensive in content. The graphics are reproductions of original art and not real life couples - which is a relief, and pleasing to the eye.

The presentation falls short in that the book - for it's size - has print too bold, and the graphics are intimidating. But for a person who is looking for a good Kama Sutra to own - for it's artistic and historic significance - this one will work out just great.

100 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good historical info, January 28, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Illustrated Kama Sutra (Hardcover)

This book is good for historical and artistic content. However, if you are looking for something more modern that will show you actual poses, don't get this book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, July 25, 2007

By 

Athena Early - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Illustrated Kama Sutra (Hardcover)

This is the exact form of the Kama Sutra that I have been looking for. It is illustrated with original Indian artwork. It is an abridged version of the Kama Sutra text but it has the sections that most individuals are most often interested in, the ones on sex. It is not a book that is all about sex but has a large part about relationships and gives some good insight into the Indian culture.