Seema Anand

Seema Anand is a British–Indian mythologist and storyteller known for her work on Eastern erotology and women’s narratives. Her books include The Arts of Seduction (2018) and Speak Easy (2025). Anand is also linked with research on endangered oral traditions through a UNESCO-related initiative.

Born in India, Seema Anand later established her career in London. Academic training in mythic studies and narrative practice shaped her approach to oral literature and cultural history. Early work focused on teaching Indian stories to diverse audiences, a task the scholar described as “weaving magic” through narrative craft. Anand defined narrative as the act “to tell, to write; to heal, to entertain; to educate, to mask”, a view that guided her later teaching and writing.

Career development involved ongoing research on ancient Indian folklore, linked to the UNESCO project on endangered oral traditions. This work aimed to bring old texts back into public view through translation and adaptation. Anand lectured widely on the Mahabharata, the Mahavidyas, the Kama Sutra and Tantric philosophy. She also prepared education resources for museums, including the V&A and the British Museum, using these traditions as teaching material.

Corporate teaching formed a second part of her career. Anand trained executives in the use of story as a leadership tool. Other roles included directing major London Diwali events and working in Tantric meditation. The educator became known for combining academic methods with cultural knowledge.

The Arts of Seduction (2018) was her first major book. It offered a modern guide to intimacy based on ideas from the Kama Sutra. The volume explored codes for love messages, the effects of perfume, types of kissing and the role of jewellery in courtship. It presented sex as a refined and thoughtful act rather than instant gratification. The book sought to make classical erotology valuable to readers in the twenty-first century.

Speak Easy (2025) continued this approach but placed greater focus on sexual health and open dialogue. Anand worked with therapists, doctors and sex-education specialists to address questions from global audiences. Each chapter explained the science and cultural pressures behind common concerns, aiming to reduce shame and silence. The book functioned as a guide to clear communication and personal agency rather than a manual on technique. Anand described it as a tool for finding one’s voice and shaping desire without fear.

Seema Anand lives in London with her family.

Photo credit: FB @seemaanandstorytelling