This picture is from one of the Kama Sutra books stocked at Danai Bookstore. The Khar Road bookshop has 11 more versions of the ancient Indian book of erotica. Sunday MiD DAY dropped by for leisurely browsing
This picture is from one of the Kama Sutra books stocked at Danai Bookstore. The Khar Road bookshop has 11 more versions of the ancient Indian book of erotica. Sunday MiD DAY dropped by for leisurely browsing
"Anything goes. Because passion waits for no one." Don't snigger. Those are not cheesy lines from a chick flick, but what Vedic philosopher Vatsyayana said back in the 4th century. We are sure Vatsyayana made more enemies than friends in the Gupta empire, especially when he wrote about quick-fix methods of "seducing the wives of other men" in Kama Sutra, the guide to lovemaking for dummies. 
Clear and present erotica
In the 21st century, at a suburban bookstore in the city, an expat customer walks into the erotica section. He has much to choose from. Danai Bookstore at Khar (W) stocks 12 versions of Vatsyayana's masterpiece. All in English, of course, but while most stick to the erotic illustrations, some of them boldly take the assistance into new age photography, probably to demonstrate that much of the lovemaking postures he talked about, are possible.
Store manager Veena Marthandam says it's mostly the men who come looking for the Kama Sutra. "Most of them know where the erotica section is, but the ones who don't, rarely ask me for guidance. They go to a male staffer at the store for assistance," she says with a smile. That's the desi erotica shopper's profile.
When Danai had an outlet at a city five-star hotel, Marthandam recalls an interesting detail: the expat crowd that thronged the erotica section was usually full of Japanese men and women. Why stock 12 versions of the same text? The answer's simple: they all sell. "We never have any dead stock of these books," she says.
Earlier, the traditional Kama Sutras with heavy prose and colour illustrations were what worked. But in recent times, the modern versions, written by foreign authors are popular. But being told how to win over another man's wife? Then again, like he says, anything goes.
Kama Sutra 52 by Lisa Schrader Published by Quiver, Rs 795
Why would you pick up this book? Because hey, Oprah Winfrey recommended it on her show! And it's as modern as a 4th century text can get, with 52 positions for 52 weeks. One for each week of the year, you get it?
Kama Sutra by Anne Hooper Published by DK
One of the bestselling Kama Sutra books right now, this hardbound book has a mithai pink cover and is packed with photographs. A short introduction, note on the author, and the book gets down to business. Every left hand page has a posture or method explained as shortly and simply as possible, while the right hand page has a corresponding photograph. Quick, non-elaborate and to-the-point; we like this one the most.
Other Kama Sutra guides stocked at Danai
Kama Sutra: The Colours of Love, Published by RK, Rs 125
The Amorous Man & Sensuous Woman, Published by Lustre Press, Rs 325
The Quest For Love, Published by Brijbasi, Rs 1,295
Kama Sutra Pleasures, Published by Hamlyn, Rs 795
The Illustrated Kama Sutra, Published by Octopus, Rs 895
Kama Sutra: The Erotic Art of India, Published by Pavilion, Rs 1,950
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