While the XXX magazine industry blossomed in the 1960s and boomed over the ’70s and ’80s, it soon gave way to DVD and late-night Gone Wild commercials. Now, the overwhelming majority of explicit material is available online and most young men have never known the panic of hurriedly stashing their centrefold under the bed. Despite the cultural waves of celebrating or repressing sexually explicit media, every culture has had some form of erotic media.

The Kama Sutra

Perhaps the most renowned piece of erotic literature is the Kama Sutra. Believed to have been written by Vatsyayana Mallanaga, the Kama Sutra takes a holistic approach to human sexuality and fulfilment. It is divided into seven parts. Those parts discuss everything from the basics of loving someone to the ethical implications of having an affair.

Sexual Union

The second instalment, titled Sexual Union, is usually what comes to mind when someone mentions the Kama Sutra. It features explicit positions and techniques in bed, many of which are familiar to the modern reader. However, there are plenty of variations that can help spice things up!

Consider the Bull Position or ‘Virsha’ which takes reverse cowgirl to a whole new level. Men get to lay back and enjoy the view, while the receiving partner leans forward to grab their partner’s shins or ankles for more control when riding.

If you feel like getting literally tangled in the sheets, try out the Lotus or ‘Padmasana’ position. Sit cross-legged and have the receiving partner sit in your lap facing you, their legs wrapping around your lower back. Then, explore the range of rocking, grinding and gyrating motions available to you in this intimate entanglement.

The Kama Sutra has inspired countless drawings, paintings and sculptures, often in places of worship and art galleries. Many modern reprints of the Kama Sutra come with their own interpretations and illustrations of the poses. 

Insightful & Culturally Intriguing

When it isn’t serving as a how-to for up-and-coming porn stars, the Kama Sutra is among the most culturally significant texts, especially given the insight it offers into the cultural and philosophical attitudes of the time. It discusses key pillars of attraction and compatibility and examines in detail the role of courtesans and wifely duties. The Kama Sutra offers a unique perspective on the most desirable attributes at that time. It’s interesting to see how our understanding of relationships and sex has changed over time.

While many of the beliefs in the Kama Sutra don’t align with modern views, the historical value of the text is undeniable. History often focuses on trade, war and religion so understanding how ancient cultures viewed sex and relationships is important too. Aside from earning a place in museums and galleries, it’s a pretty interesting read to spice up your repertoire.

Prior to photograph and video content of erotic scenes and stories, written literature was a popular avenue for expressing lustful thoughts. Love letters were exchanged between couples, sometimes including graphic descriptions, drawings or photographs. Yet published works often faced scrutiny and censorship by printing companies and publishers. Despite this, D.H. Lawrence’s 1928 novel “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” shocked the world with its explicit language and graphic descriptions. Lawsuits, book bans and censorship debates ensued and the novel remains one of great controversy.

About The Book

“Lady Chatterley’s Lover” is a tale of forbidden love and sexual awakening set in post-World War I England. The story follows beautiful Lady Chatterley, who finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage to an impotent veteran. Seeking satisfaction outside her marriage, she embarks on a passionate affair with the estate’s gamekeeper.

The Response

At the time of its publication, Lady Chatterley’s Lover was outrageously provocative. The language used was enough to make people blush but the detailed descriptions of sex were almost unheard of in published literature. Over the years, several governments banned the book including the UK, the US as well as here in Australia until 1968. 

One of the greatest changes this raunchy read sparked was the 1960 obscenity trial where the publishing house Penguin Books successfully fought for the right to publish the uncensored edition. Censorship was an ongoing social issue; some feared that unregulated publishing could break down all sense of right and wrong. Others believed that published literature was an extension of freedom of speech rights. Lady Chatterley’s Lover was defended because of its explicit nature and how it symbolised freedom of expression for other topics. The publishing of sexually explicit literature awakened a knowledge of and desire for adult material in the public. Authors were able to broaden their skills and cater to a new and growing audience.

From a publishing industry perspective, “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” marked a turning point in the way adult content was perceived and handled. Having successfully challenged censorship laws, publishers were able to take risks and defend controversial works. Despite the international backlash Lady Chatterley’s Lover received initially, the years that followed saw a huge increase in the amount and intensity of adult novels.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover is among the most influential pieces in publishing history precisely because of its divisive nature. While it remains censored and banned by some countries, its effect on censorship laws paved the way for adult material. Despite its paper-and-ink origins, Lady Chatterley’s Lover remains an important landmark as the sex industry continues to grapple with censorship and social advocacy in the digital age. Without these provocative pages, erotic media in all forms would likely still be subject to even greater censorship laws.

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