A new edition of the Kama Sutra for a modern audience promises to be the most ‘vividly imagined’ version of the ancient sex guide yet, and is the first to be illustrated by a woman.
The Folio Society edition of The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana was released this week, costing £395 for one of 750 limited copies, and is brought to life by award-winning LA-based illustrator Victo Ngai.
Known for her modern fairytale illustrations, which have appeared on book jackets such as Neil Gamain’s Norse Mythology, she’s the first female illustrator to interpret the famous text.
The original manuscript, which dates from the late third century ad, was mostly tailored to a male audience, but Victo believes she’s brought a new feminist perspective the 2,000-year-old book.
‘Examining the pieces now in hindsight, I believe I did subconsciously worked from a female-centric perspective,’ she told Femail.
‘For example, many of the scenes are composed in a way that situates the viewers in the women’s point of view, while the writing often reflects the patriarchal attitude of its time.
A new edition of the Kama Sutra for a modern audience promises to be the most ‘vividly imagined’ version of the ancient sex guide yet
The new edition was illustrated by LA-based artist Victo Ngai and she believes she subconsciously applied a feminist perspective to the ancient text
She added that her goal was to preserve the erotic side of the book while maintaining a sense of elegance.
‘Kama Sutra in its essence is a guidebook of achieving good Karma – love, sensual pleasure – which is one of the four purusarthas or goals in life,’ she explained.
‘Sex is a big part in the book, but there’s so much more to it than just intercourse positions, contrary to its portrayal in popular cultures.
‘So instead of creating illustrations which are overtly sexual, I tried to walk the fine line of creating something that’s tantalizing, yet thoughtful and elegant at the same time.
Each books also contains 25 black and white interpretations of the sexual positions and a signed artist’s print portraying an amorous couple locked in the Embrace of Thighs
The Kama Sutra is widely considered to be the primary Sanskrit work on human sexuality
Each books also contains 25 black and white interpretations of the sexual positions and a signed artist’s print portraying an amorous couple locked in the Embrace of Thighs.
The Kama Sutra is widely considered to be the primary Sanskrit work on human sexuality.
The original book, believed to have been written around 1,600 years ago, is famed for its practical advice on sexual techniques.
But it also contained advice on matters such as taking a courtesan and maintaining a happy home for both the incumbent and the wife.
It was first translated into English in 1883 under the guidance of Victorian explorer Richard Burton.
The Folio Society edition of The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana translated by Sir Richard Burton and Forster Fitzgerald Arbuthnot and illustrated by Victo Ngai is available exclusively from www.FolioSociety.com