Raja Playing with the Rani

 Raja Playing with the Rani

Abhaneri, Rajasthan,8th - 9th Century AD

           Since 'Kama' (Love or sex) was one of the four goals of Hindu life,  it was essential to show the Raja indulging in Kama. Thus, depicting Kama here is a social statement.  Politically a 'world conquering King' ("chakravertin") was supposed to be verile.  To depict the Raja indulging in Kama is to testify to his verility. Hence the presence of these images on the walls of temple.

         Eroticism in Indian art has an ancient history. It begins during the Mauryan period ( 3rd Century AD )  and culminates in the Pratihara Paramar period  ( 12th century AD). The earlier depictions merely show a couple standing together, later the sculptors began depicting foreplay.  In Khajaraho and Konark it reaches the climax where explicit scenes of eroticism are depicted. But then, Kama was emphasised in India. For, without love civilisation would fall apart;  without sex the human spieces would be extinguished.