Whither Indian erotica?

Coming from the land of Kamasutra, it is but natural for me to think and wail about the present state of erotic literature. You may look at askance as u read but no one can help it and biological urges cannot be suppressed for a long time though many people in this complacent society act as Puritans and secretly enjoy titillating songs/photos/Websites.

History, esply Indian history, is replete with evidence of erotica in temple architecture or literature as in Khajuraho sculptures, Kamasutra, narrative Jain literature in Prakriti language full of eroticism, Sangam Tamil poetry, Rasakreeda (erotic foreplays between Krishna and Gopikas) and even Soundarya Lahiri composed by the great saint Adi Sankara where he describes and praises the fullness of Devi’s breasts. But all these sensual contents are in the past, what about now?

When it comes to painting the canvas with erotica, late MF Hussain, Jogen Choudhary and more recently Open Magazine’s Mihir Shrivastava (who uses nude models in his works) come into the picture. But what about those who do not know to appreciate this genre and view it only as naked paintings (not knowing the difference between nude and naked)? You say, books & cinema? Ugh, erotic literature is yet to come of age here. In books/novels, especially in Tamil, I can hardly find any. Though the mavericks of Tami fiction, Thi. Janakiraman and Ku. Pa. Rajagopalan, had in their works extra-marital affairs in the under current they never crossed their limit and described in detail. Even in his master-piece ‘Amma Vandhaal’ Thi Ja, although speaks of the mother’s affair with husband’s friend, does not delves deeper into (no pun intended) the description of the act as such! Sujatha, although he is known for his sci-fi novellas and his simple in style modern day prose, had a breast- fetish (like our director Gautham Menon’s foot-fetish. Kindly observe Ivan Yaaro, Vaseegara songs from Minnale, Omana Penne in VTV and the posters of Ek Deewana Thaa, then you’ll know wat I mean!). Sujatha’s penchant for his leading ladies’ globes can be found from the following passages : Priya (aval parandha maarbin mel irandu per sadhurangame vilayadalam pol irundadhu), Meghangalai thurathinavan (rathnavin meth endra andha edathil mugam pudhaikka vendum endrirundhadhu), En iniya endhira (pointing out at bra - enaku indha ullani elaam anindhu pazhakam illai. Mano- naan eppedho adhai parthu vittaen), Meendum Jeeno (kuzhandai pirandhal lactation ku payanpadum idhanaal veru evvalavu payangal irukkiradhu - the dog wondering so), etc.

I’m not talking about the Kamasutra types either, I know if anyone dares try the postures, chances are there the very next day he/she might be rushed to an Ortho. Only a gymnast can try those postures, it seems to me. And  I’m not talking about the Kumudam sketches either where heavy dosages of cleavage & hips are prescribed. You say our national  tabloid – the Slimes of India, huh? I don’t think any sexually-active man will ever look at those bottoms and breasts and the gossips on a daily basis. Maybe, erectile dysfunction cases can look thru the tabloid at those plastic jobs and artificial melons and salivate while marvelling at the handiwork of plastic surgeons. Come on, even Rasputin’s 13-inch long instrument needed some rest, I ‘ve read. (Yes, tks to Appa’s leniency and freedom given to me). Again I’m talking about sensualism and not porn-selling.

And in cinema, Bollywood/Kollywood or any other wood displays everything threadbare instead of partially-hiding, adding some sensualism and celebrating the peaks and curves. All those white saris drenched in rain, navel displays, the great fall of pallu with a tight blouse showing the padded up teapot lids and wonderful cinematography&editing zooming in and out continually at women’s breasts/hips causing irritation to your eyes…… Its disgusting! Its disgusting to watch so many botoxed beauties with a ‘velakennai kudicha’ look failing to glorify their mysterious curvaceous bodies thus killing the eroticism on silver screen. It just celebrates rape and vulgarity.

Why cant the ‘kalai thaagam pidichcha’ Indian artists, taking a cue from their Japanese counterparts, do something like Furry Dojinshi or animated Manga movies/comics? It’s time to rekindle and wake up the almost-dead senses!!