Devadasis, who were once an integral part of temples, are today an invisible population.
However, their contribution to our culture and art for long cannot be overlooked. Devadasis were one of the significant people in the courts of kings, educated and knowledgeable, who took part in debates varying from ancient literature to proceedings of the kingdom.
Dancer-writer Lakshmi Vishwanathan says, “I wanted to find out how they survived for about 1,000 years in our ancient history, spreading art and culture. There was a sudden decline due to downfall of kingdoms. There were women with pride and a combination of beauty and brains.” They are an invisible population now, hidden from the urban and multi-cultured milieu. Women with such a distinct ability and talent are hard to find now, but they were once a community who followed a social hierarchy. The Devadasi culture reached its pinnacle during the 10 and 11th centuries.
“Presently there are hardly any Devadasis left in our country though I could speak to a few who were very old. I paint a sympathetic picture for them but I don’t judge them, as they have been major part of the cultural history of our country,” says Vishwanathan. The gradual decline of the culture was mainly after the Western invasion that led to the fall of several culturally rich kingdoms. The reign had to end as patronage from temples stopped and people depending on it declined. The Devadasis had to survive so they danced for money. “They not just kept the dance and culture alive, but also wooed many poets to write more classics. I could relate to them better as a dancer myself, so I posted questions on the art perspective,” says Vishwanathan. She adds, “For instance, unique talent during the ancient times like elephant riding, bow and arrow and martial arts have also declined by time. Such is the Devadasi culture, but it is just how each one looks at it as an art and nothing else.”