Shifting Paradigam : Devadasi System –from A Social Evil To Cultural Eminence In Tamil Nadu

Devadasi means a female servant of God. In the word of Dr.S.Muthulakshmi Reddy, a devadasi was an unmarried Hindu female who had undergone the ceremony of a marriage with an idol either in Hindu temple or located anywhere. The ceremony was dedication. Devadasis were adept not only in dance, but also in music, literature and aharya (make-up and costume). Devadasi's life revolved around the temple through the ages. The dancing took place in front of the image of God and occasionally outside, when the idol was carried out in a ceremonial procession. Local potentates , kings, zamindars, and landlords were the benefactors of temples and it was a matter of pride for them to have the most talented Devadasis in temples under their patronage Some devadasis became the concubines of the rich land lords and temple trustees. In their family functions, the presence of devadasi concubines was felt necessary and there they were given proper respect also.The power and wealth of temples and devadasis in heyday are legendry. When the Royal patronage was ended and the Zamindars lost their influence, the Devadasis began to suffer economically and their social status began to denigrate. The Devadasis from the beginning of the Twentieth Century began to slowly lose their hold on society. With the emergence of ports and industrial towns, , the old temple towns lost their importance. Alongside brothels, had come up in cantonments, port towns, and in Presidency capitals. The mergence of the women movement affected the immoral ways of Devadais. Thus The abolition of the Devadasi system was sought through legislation and in the in the first half of the Twentieth Century, the system was put an end in Tamil Nadu. There were some devadasis in regions like Pudukkottai practicing their art and contributing their mite to cultural development. However , chronicled history conclusively established these temple dancers' immense contribution towards defining and channelizing Bharatha Natyam. The Devadasi dance was nurtured by the Isai Vellala Community in the Past and in the first half of the Twentieth Century it was nourished by the Brahmin Community Girls and in the Post-Independent period it developed as 'Bharta Natyam' in which irrespective religion, race and caste all community people sincerely involved. Anyhow, the devadasi family members of yesryears , still are livingas as legend figures of 'Bharata Natyam’