I was reading a local Indian publication recently in which an Anthropologist had conducted a recent study taking a look at Devadasi culture in modern-day India. For those who are unfamiliar with the term “Devadasi”, this pertains to the ancient Indian temple dancers who were primarily found in South India. These women were married to Hindu Gods and Goddesses and served the community by taking care of the temples in which they resided, dancing for visitors and offering their feminine services to men for offerings. Once a highly honored and prestigious part of society, during the time of British occupation of India they were slowly demeaned and started losing both power and respect in the community.
There is a clan of followers in South India that this Anthropologist spent time with that follows the Goddess Yellamma and honors her through their work as modern Devadasi’s. These women sit on the margins of society and offer their feminine touch to men who then offer them money as a means of exchange and this is how they earn their livelihood. Unlike ancient days, these women are living in poverty, illiterate and many dont want to do this work out of choice but have been forced to either out of economic need or because their family sold them into this work as a means of paying off family debt.
I love the concept of these ancient Goddesses who were so highly revered as I love the work that I do that makes a difference in the lives of many. At the same time, it breaks my heart to know that so many women are forced to do things that they would otherwise never do. While its important to know that the work these women do serve the community and are a way of paying respects to ancient Goddesses, it is equally important to keep in mind the plight of many women in Indian and around the country who do not have the priviledge of making choices for themselves about how to live and earn for their families. I am fascinated by stories of these women and I certainly plan to do further research of my own to learn their stories from a history of long ago and hope to find ways to contribute to helping those women who are forced into this work and desire a different life for themselves.
Sitara Devi
Holly
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sitaradevi
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Women in control of their own sexuality = frightening power (for men at least). I’ve long been fascinated with how subgroups of women throughout history have broken off from mainstream society to form their own “power hubs.” If they wanted to return to the mainstream, they had to forfeit control of that power back to (typically) men. Do you see it this way? I write about sex and the older woman (over 40) and have been struggling over a new post on women who give their power away–how it happens so easily, what they lose, and what they gain. If you have any thoughts, I’d be interested. Pamela, seasonedsex.com
By: Pamela on December 23, 2009
at 8:48 am
Dear Sitaradevi,
I read your post. It’s nice. Can you suggest the name of the book which you read.
One more thing about their degradation. the degradation not occurred in colonial period. It only make visible during the colonial period.
By: Jeevanandam.,S on March 25, 2010
at 12:38 am