Ardhanarishvara the androgyne (Probing the Gender within)

$103
Item Code: IDD942
Publisher: Rupa Publication Pvt. Ltd.
Author: Dr. Alka Pande
Language: English
Edition: 2004
ISBN: 8129104644
Pages: 191 (Color Illus: 74, B & W illus: 42 )
Cover: Hardcover
Other Details 13.2" X 8.8"
Fully insured
Fully insured
Shipped to 153 countries
Shipped to 153 countries
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
23 years in business
23 years in business
Book Description
About the Book:

Hetrosexual, bisexual, transgendered, third gender, transsexual, gay … same-sex love, hermaphrodite, cross-dressing, femininity, masculinity … from straitjacketed definitions, some of which bear the stigma of ostracisation, the twenty-first century is finally ready to probe the challenging confusions and dynamics of the 'accepted' and the 'aberrant'.

While Western perceptions have always classified human beings into either male or female, the Indian belief in the androgynous nature of humans stems from the divine concept of Ardhanarishvara - literally half man-half woman. More a philosophical construct than a social or cultural expression, the divine nature of this ideology lent it an initial acceptability. Today, however, it has emerged from the closet as a social manifestation, causing the blurring of traditional sex roles.

Does your anatomy determine your gender? Are environmental influences responsible for moulding gender identities? Is there a man in every woman and a woman in every man? What determines the 'natural' and the 'unnatural'? Is it a matter of tolerance, taboo or treading a path of realization and acceptance that the human race is diverse and sexual expressions differ?

Ardhanarishvara - The Androgyne: Probing the Gender within is a book that dares to challenge, question, muse over, analyse and compel you to stretch the frontiers of your mind towards the hard-hitting reality of gender expression. Thoroughly researched and appropriately illustrated, it propels you through the uncharted territory of the 'different'. A must-read for those with any genuine interest in the human race.

About the Author:

Dr. Alka Pande is a prolific writer on indology and art history. This book is culled out of the author's thesis on the Ardhanarishvara theme in Indian art with reference to sculpture. Her other books, namely, From Mustard Fields to Disco Lights - Folk Music and Instruments of Punjab, Kamasutra, Chinese Erotica and Indian Erotica are well acclaimed, with a few in foreign language translations. Her most recent release is the book entitled Masterpieces of Indian Art.

Consultant Art Advisor & Curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, she has curated several significant exhibitions in India and abroad, including 'From the Tree to the Seed - A Contemporary Indian Art' 'Kutch - A Commemorative', 'Desi and Margi - Between Tradition and Modernity', 'Borderless Terrain', 'The Androgyne' and 'Science in the Arts', part of 'The Great Arc' exhibition in Cambridge and London. A visiting faculty member at the Delhi College of Arts, she is a Reader in the Department of Fine Arts, Punjab University, Chandigarh. Recipient of the Charles Wallace Award in 1999-2000, Dr Pande completed her post-doctoral studies in critical art theory from Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Cover Illustration :

Aishwarya and Gomti, kothis on their way back from the Aravan festival in Koovagam in Tamil Nadu.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

viii
Genesis

x
ARDHANARISHVARA
THE ANDROGYNE GOD

18
IN TIME AND SPACE
ANTIQUITY AND LOCALE

36
THE 'OTHER'
AND THE 'BOTH'

48
SACRED TEXTS AND
MEDITATIONAL LITERATURE

68
THE MYSTERY
OF THE THRESHOLD

84
ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION
OF ARDHANARISHVARA

96
PERFORMANCE AND PRACTICE
REPRESENTATION AND REALITY

120
THE PLEASURE
OF LOOKING

136
MASCULINE WOMEN AND FEMININE MEN
DILLYDALLYING ON TRANSVESTITE AVENUE

148
Glossary

171
Bibliography183


Free Shipping. Delivered by to all international destinations within 3 to 5 days, fully insured.

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Q. What locations do you deliver to ?
    A. Exotic India delivers orders to all countries having diplomatic relations with India.
  • Q. Do you offer free shipping ?
    A. Exotic India offers free shipping on all orders of value of $30 USD or more.
  • Q. Can I return the book?
    A. All returns must be postmarked within seven (7) days of the delivery date. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more please view our return policy
  • Q. Do you offer express shipping ?
    A. Yes, we do have a chargeable express shipping facility available. You can select express shipping while checking out on the website.
  • Q. I accidentally entered wrong delivery address, can I change the address ?
    A. Delivery addresses can only be changed only incase the order has not been shipped yet. Incase of an address change, you can reach us at [email protected]
  • Q. How do I track my order ?
    A. You can track your orders simply entering your order number through here or through your past orders if you are signed in on the website.
  • Q. How can I cancel an order ?
    A. An order can only be cancelled if it has not been shipped. To cancel an order, kindly reach out to us through [email protected].
Add a review
Have A Question

For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy