Vatsyayana’s Kamasutra is the oldest and ultimate
textbook on erotic love and the art of living. Yet, as we cross over into
modern times, the Kama does seem to be interrupted. Art historian Apurva
Kulkarni summarises the cause of the interruption. “The whole notion of love
and desire in today’s world is not the same as it was in the past. In fact,
today it’s being interrupted and disrupted in a way that is both good and bad.
The 20th and 21st Century notions of love and desire have taken a beating.
Rather, sexual perversions are the order of the day.”
As an artist and curator himself, Apurva was struck
by the propensity of this aspect to be interpreted by artists. However, in a
detour from usual practise, Apurva studied the texts of the Kamasutra,
particularly the latest translations co-authored by Sudhir Kakar and Wendy
Doniger, and discussed it with a cross-section of eighteen Goan artists. “I
found Kakar’s and Doniger’s translations to be the most brilliant. Last July, I
began discussing these texts with the chosen artists. I did not make any major
interventions, but only facilitated their involvement. I gave them a couple of
articles to read and held a series of discussions. Individual references went
back and forth. I was passive, they were active,” reveals Apurva.
“The entire idea of doing it was to reinterpret the
text.”
The ensuing 75 artworks on canvas, sculptures,
assemblages and installations which interrogate extensively and persuasively
the notions of love and desire were in line with Apurva’s thinking on
modern-day love. “Many artists chose to look at how love is disrupted rather
than the old romantic notions,” he explains of this perspective that led to the
title ‘Kama, Interrupted’. Unbridled in their expression, the exhibition is a
voluntarily rated show. “It’s a mature show and has to be viewed as such,”
affirms Apurva.
Interpreting the intangible through ‘Kama
Interrupted’ has been a soul- searching experience for the artists. An
experience best summed up in the words of senior artist Vamona Navelcar.
“Kamasutra is a journey about life and not only sex. It has not been easy to
interpret this very mystical aspect of Kamasutra, so I have used symbols,” he
states. To another artist, Verodina Ferrao, the interpretation of the Kamasutra
relates to one’s perceptions of life as they grow older. “At first it may
centre on sex, but later it’s the spiritual journey.”
