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Is the devadasi system once again to resuscitate?

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Today, it happens to read an article about Devadasi System which has been adopted in India especially in the Southern parts like Karnataka, Andhra, Kerala, and Tamilnadu.

Usually, am not showing much interest in these subjects. However, one particular line made my eyes in stuck to the reading for an entire article.
With the result of that line, am in fond of more searching to know deeply about the Devadasi System which has been nourished by the Hindu religion's unjustified customs, and vandalism of the upper caste people.

Before entering into the article, we have to salute the national leaders, social reformers and the British-Indian governments who were playing the crucial role in abolishing this clumsy system.

DEVADASI ABOLITION ACT 1947

Dr. Muthulatchumi Reddi proposed the bill in the Madras legislation Council in 1930 for abolishing the Devadasi System in the Madras province. Thanthai Periyar E.V.R. an instrumental to her to propose this bill. After that, the Devadasi Abolition Act 1947 was enacted.

cont... IMG_20180923_110352.jpg

இந்த புத்தகத்தை நீங்கள் ஆர்டர் செய்தால் நான் உங்கள் விலாசத்திற்கு அனுப்பி வைக்கிறேன். விலை 350 ரூபாய் கூரியர் சிலவுடன்


முகவரி ...
ப. சிவசண்முகம்.
புக்ஸ் பார்க் அண்ட் ஸ்டேஷனேரி மெர்ச்சண்ட்ஸ்
கதவிலக்கம் 88 கோவை ரோடு
என்ஆர் எம் பி பிளாசா
என்ஆர் எம் பி தெரு கரூர். தமிழ்நாடு
 
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Today, it happens to read an article about Devadasi System which has been adopted in India especially in the Southern parts like Karnataka, Andhra, Kerala, and Tamilnadu.

Usually, am not showing much interest in these subjects. However, one particular line made my eyes in stuck to the reading for an entire article.
With the result of that line, am in fond of more searching to know deeply about the Devadasi System which has been nourished by the Hindu religion's unjustified customs, and vandalism of the upper caste people.

Before entering into the article, we have to salute the national leaders, social reformers and the British-Indian governments who were playing the crucial role in abolishing this clumsy system.

DEVADASI ABOLITION ACT 1947

Dr. Muthulatchumi Reddi proposed the bill in the Madras legislation Council in 1930 for abolishing the Devadasi System in the Madras province. Thanthai Periyar E.V.R. an instrumental to her to propose this bill. After that, the Devadasi Abolition Act 1947 was enacted.

cont...View attachment 6625

இந்த புத்தகத்தை நீங்கள் ஆர்டர் செய்தால் நான் உங்கள் விலாசத்திற்கு அனுப்பி வைக்கிறேன். விலை 350 ரூபாய் கூரியர் சிலவுடன்


முகவரி ...
ப. சிவசண்முகம்.
புக்ஸ் பார்க் அண்ட் ஸ்டேஷனேரி மெர்ச்சண்ட்ஸ்
கதவிலக்கம் 88 கோவை ரோடு
என்ஆர் எம் பி பிளாசா
என்ஆர் எம் பி தெரு கரூர். தமிழ்நாடு

You have not mentioned anything about its resuscitation.
 
WHO ARE DEVADASI AND WHAT ARE THEIR DUTIES?

According to the Oxford lexicon, the term Devadasi define as, In South and parts of Western India, a devadasi or jogini is a girl "dedicated" to worship and service of a deity or a temple for the rest of her life. The age group of a girl to be converted as devadasi is 18–36 years. The dedication takes place in a Pottukattu ceremony which is similar in some ways to marriage. Originally, in addition to taking care of the temple and performing rituals, these women learned and practiced classical Indian artistic traditions like Bharatanatyam and Odissi dances. They enjoyed a high social status as dance and music were the essential part of temple worship.

From the above-said lines, we can easily understand that the Devadasis who were only exponents with the singing, dancing, and other permitted ritual performances were allowed to 'Pottukkattu' (பொட்டுக்கட்டுதல்) ceremony by the temple authorities. They enjoyed a high social status also.

The suits about the Devadasis were held in the Madras Court during the year 1862 to 1889 the court said in its judgments that the Devadasis are differing from the prostitutes and they would be considered as in a separate class.

One can easily understand from the above said Madras Court's judgments that the Devadasis enjoyed high privileges in the society, other than the prostitutes. And they are not coming in the prostitutes' circle.
இந்த புத்தகத்தை நீங்கள் ஆர்டர் செய்தால் நான் உங்கள் விலாசத்திற்கு அனுப்பி வைக்கிறேன். விலை 350 ரூபாய் கூரியர் சிலவுடன்

தமிழகத்தில் தேவதாசிகள்


ஆசிரியர் முனைவர் கே. சதாசிவன்.

முகவரி ...
ப. சிவசண்முகம்.
புக்ஸ் பார்க் அண்ட் ஸ்டேஷனேரி மெர்ச்சண்ட்ஸ்
கதவிலக்கம் 88 கோவை ரோடு
என்ஆர் எம் பி பிளாசா
என்ஆர் எம் பி தெரு கரூர். தமிழ்நாடு
View attachment 6626
 
I am confused about this thread.
Is it for or against "devadasi system".
Are you saying it is being brought back?

Yes, it was abolished, and it was a good thing that it got abolished.
It was a despicable practice, just like Sati.
 
[h=2]Devadasis of modern India – Who are they?[/h]At present, Devadasis are nothing more than sex slaves or child prostitutes who are dedicated to temples when they are as young as four or five years old. Almost all of them are Dalits, with a majority belonging to the Madiga and Valmiki castes, two of the most underprivileged castes in India. The Devadasis of modern India are largely concentrated in parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. They are called Mathangi in Maharashtra, Jogini or Mathamma in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Devadasi in Karnataka.
The children are forced into becoming Devadasis by their own parents, because these girls are their only source of income in most cases. A lot of these families aren’t even allowed to enter or stay in the villages. They are ostracized because of their caste. Hence, inevitably, all of them are either illiterate or have received very little education, with no means for a stable income. The only jobs they can get are those of street cleaners or sewage collectors. Parents are therefore forced to act as pimps for their daughters and dedicate them as Devadasis in the hope of finding a means of survival.Irrespective of the size of the family, because of poverty, they most often find themselves living in a single room or under a thatched roof. Hence, it is very common for the entire family to wait outside, while the girl is inside gratifying the sexual needs of men in order to earn money. In a society where a girl child is often a liability, turning them into Devadasis is how patriarchy works to transform them into assets.

[h=2]What happened to the legal measures?[/h]Both before and after Independence, the government enacted laws prohibiting the dedication of Devadasis. It has been more than 20 years since the practice was banned across India.
However, according to the National Human Rights Commission, in 2013, there were as many as 450,000Devadasis in India. Another commission led by Justice Raghunath Rao revealed that there are about 80,000Devadasi women in just Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The people involved in the practice are either not aware that laws are there in place prohibiting it or choose to ignore them. Given how economically vulnerable the communities involved here are, the laws are probably not going to be helpful as long as the attempt is just to criminalize and prohibit the Devadasi system. This is evident from the stark difference between the number of Devadasis being dedicated and the number of people who have been charged under the act. Instead, providing these communities with basic education and making them economically empowered, along with sensitisation, would be the ideal way forward.


https://yourstory.com/2017/04/devadasis-india/

I am not sure of this article, I will check the authenticity.
 
According to Wiki:

Instead of being a common prostitute, they were "escorts". Same job different title.

India's National Commission for Women, which is mandated to protect and promote the welfare of women, has collected information on the prevalence of devadasis in various states. The government of Odisha has stated that the devadasi system is not prevalent in the state. There is only one Devadasi in Odisha, in a Puri temple.

Similarly the government of
Tamil Nadu wrote that this system has been eradicated and there are now no devadasis in the state.

Andhra Pradesh has identified 16,624 devadasis within its state and Karnataka has identified 22,941.

The government of
Maharashtra did not provide the information as sought by the Commission. However, the state government provided statistical data regarding the survey conducted by them to sanction a "Devadasi Maintenance Allowance". A total of 8,793 applications were received and after conducting a survey 6,314 were rejected and 2,479 devadasis were declared eligible for the allowance. At the time of sending the information, 1,432 Devadasis were receiving this allowance.According to a study by the Joint Women’s Programme of the Bangalore for National Commission for Women, girls who have to accept becoming a devadasi, few reasons were provided, which included dumbness, deafness, poverty, and others. The life expectancy of devadasi girls is low compared to the average of the country, it is rare to find devadasis older than fifty Devadasi.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devadasi


I want to believe this account.
 
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I am confused about this thread.
Is it for or against "devadasi system".
Are you saying it is being brought back?

Yes, it was abolished, and it was a good thing that it got abolished.
It was a despicable practice, just like Sati.

No confusion. As I said in the last chapter, the Devadasi system was rejected by the laws, which is very welcome. However, I deeply regret that there are practices in some Karnataka temples and in the interior of Tamil Nadu.
 
TRACES OF LINEAGE OF THE DEVADASI SYSTEM


In time immemorial the Devadasi system has prevailed in India. However, the historian says that this custom would be traced in 6 and 8 th centuries. Further, they added the Hindu kings and priests forced the Bhikkhunis to convert as Devadasis, after falling the Buddhism. Thus the sacred Bhikkhunis enduring their fate in the hands of the Hinduism as well as the Bhakti era were raising at then.

DEVADASIS IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES


Even though there are different views about the Devadasis, it is true that these women would never withdraw from the eternal services as well as in the philanthropic work. It has come to the light from the contemporary stone scripts of the king Raja Raja Chola. Interestingly enlighten in that script that one Devadasi has contributed the lands and jewels to the local deity for performing the daily poojas.


A reasonable question may arise in the readers' mind while reading the above lines. Is any Devadasi lived in the recent years like that perpetual era of the 10 th century court dancers who were enduring the life for the philanthropic activities? If you asked this question to me, my reply will be yes. I can be classified the philanthropist Devadasis. The following classes will help you to know about them. They had participated in many social activities in the recent era, using their fabulous wealth in the philanthropic activities.



 
Shansnrmp,
I still do not know where you are going with this.
That was a bad system, it was abolished by law. It is still being practiced, that is bad.

If it was volunteers like nuns, I will not have a problem.
But it was forced by the parents and encouraged by the kings, rich people, temple priest etc.
It was forced prostitution, under a different name.

It should be rooted out. I can not see any justification for this ugly practice.
 
According to Wiki:

Instead of being a common prostitute, they were "escorts". Same job different title.

India's National Commission for Women, which is mandated to protect and promote the welfare of women, has collected information on the prevalence of devadasis in various states. The government of Odisha has stated that the devadasi system is not prevalent in the state. There is only one Devadasi in Odisha, in a Puri temple.

Similarly the government of
Tamil Nadu wrote that this system has been eradicated and there are now no devadasis in the state.

Andhra Pradesh has identified 16,624 devadasis within its state and Karnataka has identified 22,941.

The government of
Maharashtra did not provide the information as sought by the Commission. However, the state government provided statistical data regarding the survey conducted by them to sanction a "Devadasi Maintenance Allowance". A total of 8,793 applications were received and after conducting a survey 6,314 were rejected and 2,479 devadasis were declared eligible for the allowance. At the time of sending the information, 1,432 Devadasis were receiving this allowance.According to a study by the Joint Women’s Programme of the Bangalore for National Commission for Women, girls who have to accept becoming a devadasi, few reasons were provided, which included dumbness, deafness, poverty, and others. The life expectancy of devadasi girls is low compared to the average of the country, it is rare to find devadasis older than fifty Devadasi.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devadasi


I want to believe this account.

Government data are not authenticated. In fact, no necessity of the accuracy. The Tamil Nadu Government has succeeded in the eradication of this pity Devadasis by giving education and uplifting them by the social economic status.
 
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Shansnrmp,
I still do not know where you are going with this.
That was a bad system, it was abolished by law. It is still being practiced, that is bad.

If it was volunteers like nuns, I will not have a problem.
But it was forced by the parents and encouraged by the kings, rich people, temple priest etc.
It was forced prostitution, under a different name.

It should be rooted out. I can not see any justification for this ugly practice.

If you placed before me the question as that is there any necessity to re-introduce the Devadasi system, I should oppose it vehemently[FONT=&quot]. [/FONT]At the same time one could not brush away their contributions were to the art, and in the philanthropic works as well.

We will study about the Devadasis who were patrons of the Tamil arts and cultures in the following chapter.
 
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Puthukkottai viralimalai muthukanamba

<span style="font-family: Arial"><strong>[video=youtube_share;enphDJk767Y]https://youtu.be/enphDJk767Y[/video]

DEVADASI PUTHUKKOTTAI VIRALIMALAI MUTHUKANAMBA


(GUARDIANS OF THE TAMIL ARTS)


When writing about the Devadasis, it is an important thing to write about the art, which is known as the SADIR NADANAM (sadir dance).
This form of dance practiced in the Tamilnadu alone, and patronne by the Tanjore Vazhuvur family lineage.later on, this awesome dance was denatured as in the name of Bharatha Natiyam and takes to the world stages by various artists like Ms. Balasaraswathi and so on.


Only one of the oldest artist belonging to Tamil Nadu is Pudukottai Viralimalai Muthukannamma. It is amazing to have fun and aggression even in the age 80's
Amazingly she has performed various postures in lively.


This the time to take steps to protect this wonderful art SADIR NADANAM which is about to in the edges of ruining.




All the arts like Sadir,(சதிர் ஆட்டம்) Bharatham and Mohini Attam (மோகினி ஆட்டம்) whatever the names it may be called they all originated in South India and patronized well by the Devadasis.This species of the community may be a sin in the views of the society, but this is an unbroken line that these ill-fated Devadasis rendered their life to nourish the great art...
 
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If you placed before me the question as that is there any necessity to re-introduce the Devadasi system, I should oppose it vehemently. At the same time one could not brush away their contributions were to the art, and in the philanthropic works as well.

We will study about the Devadasis who were patrons of the Tamil arts and cultures in the following chapter.


They could have been great patron without the stigma of being a Devadasi (high priced call girls).
 
Devadasi tradition dying at Puri temple in Orissa - No one can resuscitate !

The 800-year-old Devadasi tradition at the famous Sri Jagannath Temple here is on the verge of collapse as there are just two Devdasis left to perform the exclusive rituals.

Anticipating the scenario, the temple administration in the early 90s had attempted to enrol fresh Devadasis to keep the tradition alive but the effort failed due to nationwide protest, against the system and also because no girl volunteered.


https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-devadasi-tradition-dying-at-puri-temple-in-orissa-1304526
 
They could have been great patron without the stigma of being a Devadasi (high priced call girls).

prasad1


I accept some of what you say. Before that, let's look at the reasons of falling these systems. Devadasis were the highest place in the sixth century. In particular, the Cholas and Pandyas regimes were in the state of magnetism. Devadasis enjoyed high privileges. After that, this society suffered gradual degradation in the seventeenth century under the rule of Krishnadevaraya and Nayakars. We will study in the following episodes why this society was being pushed to disgrace, and who were the main...
 
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Devadasi tradition dying at Puri temple in Orissa - No one can resuscitate !

The 800-year-old Devadasi tradition at the famous Sri Jagannath Temple here is on the verge of collapse as there are just two Devdasis left to perform the exclusive rituals.

Anticipating the scenario, the temple administration in the early 90s had attempted to enrol fresh Devadasis to keep the tradition alive but the effort failed due to nationwide protest, against the system and also because no girl volunteered.


https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-devadasi-tradition-dying-at-puri-temple-in-orissa-1304526

Janaki Jambunathan

[FONT=&quot] We will study in the following episodes why this society [FONT=&quot]was being pushed[/FONT][FONT=&quot] to disgrace, and who were the main... [/FONT] [/FONT]
 
Sir,

Selling Devadasi system as a great system is terrible.
Las Vegas does promote prostitution, and they sell cow urine as a health drink in UP.

That still does not pass the smell test, it stinks.
 
Though Devadasi System is abolished and punishable, if practiced, the purpose, it seems, is ultimately to put the blame on Bs, by providing some references.
 
shansnrmpji is promoting this topic, I do not think he is blaming Bs.

I take the poster at their words until they are proven otherwise.

So Chandruji, what are you saying?
 
Piety movement

ApparPerundhagaiyaar.pngalwargal.jpg

It seems the periods of Pallavas and Pandyas were between seventh and ninth centuries was flourishing era of this Devadasis system.Meanwhile, in the Bakthi Era's Teachers Nayanmars and Azhwars also puffed up the essentials of the dances and songs in the temple rituals. This propaganda believes in satisfying the God in the dances and music to be the way to attain the 'mokcha' was attracted more pious families to send their girls for these services.

Then why were these godly ladies in high rank in the piety movement so low in the 16th century?
 
We can divide three major divisions of these Devadasis systems, respectively 6 to 10 centuries, 11 to 16 and 17 to 21 centuries

6 - 10 th century


As I mentioned earlier, from the sixth century until the tenth century, when the devotional movements grew, the status of the Devasasi was very highly pride. In fact, these stately women came to the throne during the Raja Raja Chola. It is an important thing to note, while the status of the Devadasis in the big temples was in high against the small temples. In view of these periods, the fact is that the situation of devadasis has fallen from the wrong approach of the temple administration, especially for various reasons.

In particular of these periods, the fact is that the situation of Devadasis has fallen from for the wrong approach of the temple administration, especially for their misguiding in the sexuality.

11 to 16 th century


The Devadasi system which has already been weakened by the Mughal invasions as well by the corruptible temple administrators in tenth century had further fallen by the religious fanatic King like Gazzini in the 17 century.

At the same time, the Mughal Emperor Alauddin Khilji did not allow the Devadasiss of the southern temples to turn as prostitutes for leading their bread. We should also take note of the fact that he forced to marry them to another. By this action he abolished the strains of their names and allowed them to live in the good life.

17 to 21 century


The Bhakti movement played an important role in the arrival of the people in search of temples by transforming the people from the Kings worshiping. In the meantime, where women decorated in the royal king's court with the music and dance, performed their stages in the temples before the public. Devadasi women had a strange situation in this period. During the reign of Krishnadevaraya, of the 16th century was in ruins to the devadasis dancers dedicated to the service of the Lord again send to decorate the royal kingdoms. As with the Krishnadeva Raya , 300 dance girls were dressed to live in the king's lust.
 
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We can divide three major divisions of these Devadasis systems, respectively 6 to 10 centuries, 11 to 16 and 17 to 21 centuries

6 - 10 th century


As I mentioned earlier, from the sixth century until the tenth century, when the devotional movements grew, the status of the Devasasi was very highly pride. In fact, these stately women came to the throne during the Raja Raja Chola. It is an important thing to note, while the status of the Devadasis in the big temples was in high against the small temples. In view of these periods, the fact is that the situation of devadasis has fallen from the wrong approach of the temple administration, especially for various reasons.

In particular of these periods, the fact is that the situation of Devadasis has fallen from for the wrong approach of the temple administration, especially for their misguiding in the sexuality.

11 to 16 th century


The Devadasi system which has already been weakened by the Mughal invasions as well by the corruptible temple administrators in tenth century had further fallen by the religious fanatic King like Gazzini in the 17 century.

At the same time, the Mughal Emperor Alauddin Khilji did not allow the Devadasiss of the southern temples to turn as prostitutes for leading their bread. We should also take note of the fact that he forced to marry them to another. By this action he abolished the strains of their names and allowed them to live in the good life.

17 to 21 century


The Bhakti movement played an important role in the arrival of the people in search of temples by transforming the people from the Kings worshiping. In the meantime, where women decorated in the royal king's court with the music and dance, performed their stages in the temples before the public. Devadasi women had a strange situation in this period. During the reign of Krishnadevaraya, of the 16th century was in ruins to the devadasis dancers dedicated to the service of the Lord again send to decorate the royal kingdoms. As with the Krishnadeva Raya , 300 dance girls were dressed to live in the king's lust.

Devadasi system is a remnant of the effects of a historic mistake. The people who invented this perhaps were sincere in their belief that the Deities in the temple needed dedicated souls to serve them. but the idea was badly conceived. The single woman soon found it difficult to carry on in the society without a male's support and fell prey to rich men looking for pleasure for money. Sathir was a dance form in which special stress was placed on certain movements to appeal to the carnal desires of men. This was modified by later artistes and it became the popularly accepted Bharatanatyam dance form.

I feel there is no need to revive the Devdasi system as temples do not need them. For men looking for a nights stand there are regular whorehouses and they need not look for artistes.
 
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