A compelling exploration of Tantric rituals and spirituality, published to coincide with a once-in-a-generation exhibition at the British Museum. Tantra: enlightenment to revolution explores the radical philosophy that transformed the religious, cultural and political landscape of India and beyond. Originating in early medieval India, Tantra has been linked to successive waves of revolutionary thought – from its 6th-century transformation of Hinduism and Buddhism to the Indian fight for independence and the global rise of 1960s counterculture.
Centring on the power of divine feminine energy, Tantra inspired the dramatic rise of goddess worship in medieval India and has gone on to influence contemporary feminist thought and artistic practice. Presenting masterpieces of sculpture, painting, prints and ritual objects from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tibet, Japan, the UK and the USA, this publication offers new insights into a philosophy that has captured our imagination for more than a millennium.