Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the Kalika-Mangal poetic tradition of medieval Bengal, centred on the goddess Kalika. It shows how the tradition's use of the 'Bidyasundar' love motif deploys a rich symbolism that connects for the first time poetics, techniques of erotic desire, and devotion to the goddess.

Paper long abstract:

This paper examines the Kalika-Mangal poetic tradition of medieval Bengal, centred on the goddess Kalika. The tradition develops a love theme known as 'Bidyasundar', framed around two protagonists, Bidya (wisdom) and Sundar (beauty). As well as being rooted in the aesthetics of kavya, this motif displays strong devotional aspects centred on Sundar's dedication to the goddess, and deploys a body symbolism and schema derived from the Kamashastra. The motif is also the locus of the appearance of the reverse mystical coital posture, or viparita-rati, in the Bengali literary domain. Body-centred techniques are thus pervasive in the tradition's development of the motif, being directed toward the pleasure of the goddess or the satisfaction of sensual desire. This paper aims to highlight some of the interesting ways in which the Kalika-Mangal tradition's use of the 'Bidyasundar' motif and its rich symbolism connects for the first time the discourses of poetics, sensual desire, and devotion to the goddess.