Tantric Art forms a considerable portion of all traditional art in India. This in spite of the fact that tantrism as a religious practice has always been confined to minor religious sects and cults, ones that were severely proscribed in certain points of history. It is perhaps a consequence of this character of tantric sectarianism that tantric art is pervasively symbolic and presupposes a particular reading community, one that, in the past, put the art to specific cultic uses. In the modern period, however, Tantric Art has decisively delinked itself from cultic practice of any sort and has become secularly oriented. Modes of representation employed by the modern tantric movement in India, nevertheless initiate continuities with the earlier period. Geometric patterns, and symbolic forms with conventional lines, shapes and colors are among representational elements that continue into the modern period.

Theory of Tantric cult
There were many theories about tantric cult from various scripts with many people based on three basic series: Tantra, Mantra, and Yantra.

TANTRA: "Loom,methodology." 1) Most generally, a synonym for sastra,"scripture." 2) A synonym for the Agamic texts,especially those of the Sakta faith, a class of Hindu scripture providing detailed instruction on all aspects of religion,mystic knowledge and science.The tantras are also associated with the Saiva tradition. 3) A specific method,technique or spiritual practice within the Saiva and Sakta traditions.For example, pranayama is a tantra. Tantra generally involves a reversal of the normal flow of energies.Its perspective is that the inner self is most important, and outer life is secondary. Tantra causes the life force to flow up through the sushumna. Many are the methods for overcoming the unovercomeable.Fallen into the hands of the unscrupulous,these techniques black magic (abhichara)
- "Dancing with Siva" by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.

Tantra is one of a series of scriptures that emphasize practical ways of self-enlightenment, especially relating to the power of Sakti. Tantra is derived from the root 'Tan' (ta-spread), Tantra is that scripture by which knowledge is spread. The suffix 'tra' comes from the root 'to save' that knowledge is spread which saves.
- K.N.Kaw, The Doctrine of Recognition.

Tantra is a sanskrit word meaning rules and regulations system or administrative code.
_ D.N. Bose & H.Halder, Tantras:-Their Philosophy and Cocult Secrets.

MANTRA
Mantra,sacred formula based on the principle that sound has a spiritual significance and power; incantation.A Mantra is not the same thing as prayer or self dedication. Prayer is conveyed in what word the 'sadhaka choose' Any set of words or letters is not a mantra. Only that mantra is which the Devata has revealed His or Her particular aspects can reveal that aspect and is there fore the mantra of that one of His or Her particular aspects. The relations of the letters whether vowel or consonants 'Nada' and 'Bindu' in a mantra indicate the appearance of Devata in different forms.
- M.B.Jhavery, Comparative and critical study of mantra sastra.

The mantras are mystic sentences supposed to have power over the Gods.
- E.C. Gover, The folk songs of South India, P.172.

It is said 'Mantra' is so called because it is achieved by mental poems. Man of mantra comes from the first syllable of 'Manana" or thinking and 'tra' from trance or liberation from the bondage of the 'Samsara' or phenomenal world. The combination of 'man' and 'tra' that is called 'mantra' which 'calls forth' the four aims of being.
-A.Avolon, Garland of Letters, P 258.

MANTRA:"Mystic formula." A sound,syllable,word or phrase endowed with special power,usually drawn from scripture.Mantras are chanted loudly during puja (worship,adoration) to invoke the Gods and establish a force field.Certain Mantras are repeated softly or mentally for japa(Recitation),the subtle tones quieting the mind,harmonizing the inner bodies and stimulating latent spiritual qualities.Hinduism's universal Mantra is Aum(Often spelled Om-The mystic syllable of tantrism).To be truly effective,such Mantras must be given by the preceptor through initiation.
- "Dancing with Siva" by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.

YANTRA: A form symbol, aid to contemplation, geometrical representation of a deity.

YANTRA: "Vesel;container." A mystic diagram composed of geometric and alphabetic figures-usually etched on small plates of gold,silver or copper.Sometimes rendered in three dimensions in stone or metal.The purpose of a yantra is to focus spiritual and mental energies according to computer-like yantric pattern,be it for health,wealth,childbearing or the invoking of God or another. It is usually installed near or under the temple Deity. Psychically seen,the temple yantra is a magnificent three-dimensional edifice of light and sound in which the devas work.On the astral plane, it is much larger than the temple itself.
- "Dancing with Siva" by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.