Pratap Malla (1624-1674) ruled Kathmandu during the kingdom's golden age. Ambitious monarch, he never stopped waging war against neighboring city-states. It was not only in battles that he distinguished himself, but also in the protection of the arts and the cult of love, proclaiming himself “Kavindra”, king of poets. Rich in a body of work including magnificent sanctuaries, poems and songs as well as plays, creator of fascinating masked dances, follower of tantrism, he prided himself to have seduced several thousand women.