The Stigma of Indian Culture.
India is a state of cultural diversity with several untold and unfolding histories. The Devdasi system is one of them. We all have a cloudy concept of this ancient system. This system depicts a very dark as well as a very rich phase of the Indian social and political system and also a well-known religious practice. Due to this system, girls were getting married to a temple or deity before hitting puberty. There are different opinions in different portions of history, but overall devadasi system was an oppressive practice of women, done by the higher authorities of the society. This system objectifies women by considering them as the servant of the deity or temple. Devdasi were dedicated to the temple or deity for the rest of their life.
A brief history of the ancient Devdasi Pratha:
History depicts that the Devdasi system was traced back to the 6th or 7th century when several kingdoms were flourished. Amongst them, the Chola empire admired Devdasis with immense respect. Dancing and singing have always been a part of traditional Hindu rituals and Devdasis used to do dancing and singing at the time of worshipping. There are also male and female Devdasis and both were admired by the Chola empire. The male Devdaisis were called Nattuvanaras, who used to conduct the orchestra while performing. Another source of history says that the concept of Devdasi was there since the 3rd century BC. Probably the name " Sutanuka” mentioned in the cave Jogimara and Sitabenga was the earliest source of the Devdasi system. Kings and temple authorities used to give them traditional support as well as patronage. In Andhrapradesh the concept of Devdasi was a little different but obvious. Each family of the Krishna district, Tenali was bound to give one girl from their family to the temple. A written agreement was there to end this formally. They were known as Natavalollu.
Devadasis were treated as goddess Lakshmi, and repute as a great figure who can control natural human desires. The contribution of devadasis to flourish the Indian classical artistic tradition is inalienable. Many dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi was started practicing by Devadasis. Back in history, Devdasis had a higher social status along with respect in society. They were acquainted by different local terms in different places like, in Karnataka, they were known as "Basivi", "Matangi” was the erm for them in Maharashtra, "Mahari" and "Kalavanti" were the term in Odisa and goa respectively. Devadasis used to perform in the temple and had some other responsibilities like cleaning the temple along with the sanctorum, washing and fanning the deity, etc. Sometimes they also performed in the king's courtyard. Also, categorization was there in the Devdasi system such as Dutta Devdasi (When a sacred man offered his daughter to this system), Hruta Devdasi ( if a lady got abducted and subsequently appointed in the temple), Bikrita Devdasi (If a lady was sold to the higher authority or any priest of the temple), Bhrutya Devdasi ( If a lady being a part of this system voluntarily), and Alankara Devdasi( who offered temple a certain amount of ornaments and wealth with the women). Devdasis used to travel with the king and help them to set strategies with shrewd politics. They belong even in a higher status than the king's wives. Devadasis were expected to live a life of celibacy and were the symbol of auspiciousness. But from the medieval period, this auspicious connection between Devadasis and the temple started diminishing. The priest is using them for sexual desires. Since British rule, Devadasis were started treating as prostitutes and their social respect got decreased.
Rules and regulations against Devdasi System:
After British empowerment, the Devdasi system becomes a pious license of prostitution and trafficking.The Government of India had outlawed this illegal religious prostitution named as Devdasi practice back in 1924. After this drastic step was taken by the Indian government, various states in India particularly the states of the south Have legislated several laws targeted the Devdasi system like-
a) Bombay Devdasi Protection Act, 1934.
b) Tamilnadu Devdasi Act, 1947 ( This a law enacted that, any participation in any kind of dedication ceremony would be a punishable offense, including the girl herself if she is sixteen or above. This legislation imposes 6 months of imprisonment with a fine up to Rs. 5000)
c) Karnataka Devdasi Act 1982 ( this kind of dedication of women in temples with or without their consent is a criminal offense. Also participating in any ceremony related to the Devdasi system is a punishable offense.)
d) Andhrapradesh Devdasi Act 1988 ( this act is more likely to the Tamilnadu Act, but it not only outlawed the ceremony of dedication but also include outlawed any ceremony that objectifies women from the community such as Bogum, Kalavanthula, Sani, Nagavasulu, etc. who perform melam and forcefully adopted the life of prostitution)
e) Maharashtra Devdasi Bill 2005 (This bill hods opposed the no marriage tradition of Devdasis. This law enacted that cohabitation by any man with a Devdasi for long period shall raise the presumption of marriage. Also, their progeny can claim the property rights)
There are some other legislations that oppose this cruel religious system and address the rights of women and children exploited by this dedication practice. These laws are:
a) The scheduled caste and scheduled tribes Act, 1989
b) The Immoral Traffic Prevention Act of 1956
c) The Juvenile Justice Act, 2015
d) Protection of Children Against Sexual offenses Act
e) The Protection of Women From domestic violence.
Recent condition of Devdasis:
The slaves of god ( Picture source: Internet)
Women were always being manipulated by the patriarchal social system of India. Devdasi system was a license for Brahmins and other members of the temple to exploit women sexually. This Devdasi system is continued in several temples in South India. This system always targets marginalized communities because it is easy to manipulate them due to their socio-economic status. Though there were certain strict laws against this system but the legislations are unable to stop this system. Underkarnata Devdasi act, only four cases have been filed against this Devdasi system between 2011 to 2017. Due to certain loopholes in the system, this tradition of Devdasi is still in the loop. Dedicated girls are not recognized as children, so this system sometimes can not be accused under the Juvenile Justice Act,2015 or Protection of Children Against Sexual Offense Act. Also, the traditional Devdasi system depicts that they do not use women for any trafficking purposes, so the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act 1956, is also not applicable to accused this system. So in the end our society indirectly promotes this system as a symbol of Hindu orthodox tradition. According to a survey of the National Commission for Women, showed that there are 48,358 Devdasis in India. National Law School has conducted a study in 2018, where they found, 92% of Devdasi are women and dedicated to the temple when they were minor even without their consent. This survey also showed that 74% Devdasis were forced to have sexual intercourse even before the age of 18. A study conducted by Sampark in 2015, highlighted that 85% of Devdasis are from Dalit communities. Moreover, 87% of women under this system have faced sexual exploitation and 95% of them were trafficked. After so many legislations, Devdasi system was still practiced in many parts of the South. In October 2017, a temple ritual occurred in Tirvallur district, Tamilnadu as a dedication ceremony of Devdasi system. Since last month, they have conducted this kind of ritual and have already dedicated five pre-pubescent girls to the temple. A similar case has been reported in Chittoor, Andhrapradesh. Not only they are suffered by their profession but also their child and grandchild will unable to come out of this track. But the offspring of Devdasis are still manipulated in society and society doesn't accept them to live a normal life.
Devdasi performing inside the temple (Picture source: Internet)
Conclusion:
Oppression against women was always at the root of our patriarchal society. Earlier Devdasi system was also not promoted prostitution, they used to be glamorous dancers. But with time the brahmin priest started to use Devdasis as sex workers. In India, a girl child was treated as a burden of the family, and the Devdasi system converts this liability into an asset. The patronage of Devdasis become the income of her family. So poor and lower caste families were willingly sending their girl child into the Devdasi system. In India, women are being worshipped but get assault in the temple at night. On the contrary, 'Beti Bachao, Beti padhao' is the most popular slogan in our country. This system is also a license to exploit women from marginalizing communities. This system also forced several girl children to come into prostitution at an extremely young age. This Devdasi system is a huge stigma on Indian cultural traditions and customs.
Stop this exploitation and save women (Picture Source: Internet)