The author is a Phd. candidate at
Cardiff Metropolitan University
WOMEN'S SEXUAL
PLEASURE IS STILL TABOO -- BUT THE KAMASUTRA TELLS A
DIFFERENT STORY
For
some people, the Kamasutra is little more than a name
associated with condom brands, scented oils and chocolates
shaped into erotic positions. In India, where sex remains
a taboo subject, this ancient sex manual has often been
reduced to merely a “dirty book.”
But
beneath this narrow view lies a deeper message: the
Kamasutra is a treatise on sexual autonomy, one that
could be revolutionary for women.
In
Indian society, women’s sexual pleasure is often
invisible, buried beneath layers of cultural silence.
Women are often taught to suppress their desires, their
voices stifled by traditions that prioritise male needs.
Yet, it was in this very country that the Kamasutra
was written.
Composed
in the ancient Sanskrit language in the 3rd century
by the Indian philosopher Vatsyayana, the Kamasutra
is more than a book about sexual positions. The word
“kama” means love, sex, desire and pleasure,
while “sutra” translates to a treatise.
The text explores relationships, ethics and social norms.
It offers a framework for mutual respect and understanding
between partners.
In
her 2016 book Redeeming the Kamasutra, scholar
of Indian culture and society Wendy Doniger argues that
Vatsyayana was an advocate of women’s pleasure
as well as stressing their right to education and the
freedom to express desire. Far from reinforcing male
dominance, the Kamasutra originally emphasised the importance
of mutual enjoyment and consent. It presents sex as
a shared experience rather than a male onquest.
The perception of the Kamasutra as a male-centred sex
manual can be traced back to its first English translation
by Sir Richard Burton in 1883.
Burton,
a British soldier and explorer, omitted or altered passages
that highlighted women’s autonomy. It shifted
their role from active participants to passive recipients
of male pleasure.
In
contrast, scholars such as Ganesh Saili have argued
that the Kamasutra originally depicted women as equal
partners in intimacy. According to the text, women communicated
their needs through gestures, emotions and words, ensuring
that their pleasure was just as valued as men’s.
Importantly, conversation played a central role in intimacy,
reinforcing the necessity of a woman’s consent
before having sex.
Despite
this rich history, Indian society continues to largely
suppress discussions around female sexuality. Indian
sex educator and journalist Leeza Mangaldas argues that
women’s sexual pleasure remains a taboo topic,
policed by cultural expectations that dictate women
must remain silent, subservient and sexually inactive
before marriage.
Social
scientist, Deepa Narayan, argues that this suppression
begins at home. Girls are often taught to deny their
own bodies and prioritise male desires.
This control extends to patriarchal social norms that
uphold virginity as a virtue for women while imposing
no such expectation on men. Sex is framed as something
women “give” rather than something they
experience. Pleasure is seen as a right for males but
merely an afterthought for females. Sex is for men but
for women, it is only for producing babies.
Yet
the Kamasutra itself tells a different story. In its
original form, it described women as active participants
in their pleasure and compared their sensuality to the
delicacy of flowers – requiring care, attention
and respect.
My
own research explores “Kamasutra feminism.”
This is the idea that this ancient text is not just
about sex but about sexual autonomy. It challenges patriarchal
norms by promoting women’s freedom to articulate
their desires and take control of their pleasure. The
Kamasutra rejects the notion that women’s sexuality
should be regulated or repressed. Instead, it advocates
for mutual satisfaction and consent.
Doniger
describes the Kamasutra as a feminist text, citing its
emphasis on women choosing their partners, expressing
their desires freely and engaging in pleasurable sexual
relationships. It recognises economic independence as
a crucial factor in women’s sexual autonomy. Financial
freedom is linked to the ability to make personal choices.
PATRIARCHY
VERSUS SEXUAL LIBERTY
Ultimately, the Kamasutra represents a clash between
patriarchy – where women’s sexuality is
controlled – and a vision of sexual liberty. It
offers an alternative narrative, one where seduction
is about mutual enjoyment rather than male domination.
Its teachings encourage open discussions about intimacy,
allowing women to reclaim their voices in relationships.
For
more than a century, the Kamasutra has been misinterpreted,
its radical message buried beneath layers of censorship
and cultural shame. But if we look beyond its erotic
reputation, we find a text that speaks to the importance
of consent, equality and female agency.
Reclaiming
the Kamasutra as a guide for sexual empowerment could
help dismantle deeply ingrained taboos and reshape the
conversation around women’s pleasure. In a world
where female desire is still widely policed, this ancient
manuscript reminds us that women’s pleasure is
not a luxury, but a right.
This
article is republished from The
Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
