Sex, Desire, and Taboo in South Asia: Religion, Culture of Ability and Patriarchy
Sex, Desire, and Taboo in South Asia: Religion, Culture of Ability and Patriarchy is a nonfiction book by Tulasi Acharya. It was published in 2024 by Lexington Books. The book is structured into six chapters, each building on the discourse surrounding sex, desire, and taboo. The first chapter sets the theoretical foundation, discussing Michel Foucault’s The History of Sexuality and its limitations in understanding the South Asian context. The book is an extension of the author's 2019 work, Sex, Gender and Disability in Nepal.
Reception
The book received positive responses from critics. Narayan Prasad Ghimire writes, "This research-focused book enhances the existing literature by exploring the taboo in prominent literary figures’ works, including BP Koirala and Parijat", Jhamak Ghimire, Krishna Dharabasi, and many other Indian writers, such as Salman Rushdie. Gopi Krishna Dhungana writes, "The author offers a fascinating juxtaposition between the open depiction of sexuality in religious art—such as the vivid erotic sculptures found in temples — and the conservative societal attitudes that repress discussions of sex". Kosh Raj Koirala writes, "One of the book’s strengths is its intersectional approach, examining how gender, religion, and power shape societal attitudes toward sex". Devapriya Sanyal writes, "however, the book’s strength lies in its tackling of otherwise unexplored themes, such as the sexual habits of older persons—a subject that is not only under-researched but also a taboo for discussion, especially in India".
Reception
The book received positive responses from critics. Narayan Prasad Ghimire writes, "This research-focused book enhances the existing literature by exploring the taboo in prominent literary figures’ works, including BP Koirala and Parijat", Jhamak Ghimire, Krishna Dharabasi, and many other Indian writers, such as Salman Rushdie. Gopi Krishna Dhungana writes, "The author offers a fascinating juxtaposition between the open depiction of sexuality in religious art—such as the vivid erotic sculptures found in temples — and the conservative societal attitudes that repress discussions of sex". Kosh Raj Koirala writes, "One of the book’s strengths is its intersectional approach, examining how gender, religion, and power shape societal attitudes toward sex". Devapriya Sanyal writes, "however, the book’s strength lies in its tackling of otherwise unexplored themes, such as the sexual habits of older persons—a subject that is not only under-researched but also a taboo for discussion, especially in India".
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