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The sixty-four arts are respected, charming, and add to the talent of women. A man skilled in the sixty-four arts is looked upon with love by his own wife, by the wives of others, and by courtesans. (Kama Sutra, Burton, 1883)
The aim of the Sixty Four Arts is not merely to be a good wife, but to be a skillful, playful, understanding, refined, independent, sexual, beautiful and intelligent woman. The ancient erotic text of Kama Sutra also expresses cultivation of the male, his understanding of female nature and the importance of cultivating sensual moods and intimacy. The ancient Indians show great attention to detail of smell, light, music, food, drink and touch before intercourse can begin.
The following are some of the arts to be studied, together with the Kama Sutra:
Singing
Playing on musical instruments
Dancing
Union of dancing, singing, and playing instrumental music
Writing and drawing
Tattooing
Arraying and adorning an idol with rice and flowers
Spreading and arranging beds or couches of flowers, or flowers upon the ground
Colouring the teeth, garments, hair, nails and bodies, i.e. staining, dyeing, colouring and painting the same
Fixing stained glass into a floor
The art of making beds, and spreading out carpets and cushions for reclining
Playing on musical glasses filled with water
Storing and accumulating water in aqueducts, cisterns and reservoirs
Picture making, trimming and decorating
Stringing of rosaries, necklaces, garlands and wreaths
Proper disposition of jewels and decorations, and adornment in dress
Reading, including chanting and intoning
Practice with sword, single stick, quarter staff and bow and arrow (Kama Sutra, Burton, 1883)
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Editor: Karene Jade Howie
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