Debunking Sacred Prostitution myth--new book - Page 2

Andrea Deagon · 01-09-2008, 03:54 PM

Dipali, I agree that the devidasi are an important element of this story, especially because they are full-time temple-associated women who dance and who are not bound by conventional sexuality (i.e. marry young and stay faithful). One problem with them is that they have been romanticized or decried by Westerners for so long, and the West has at various times had such an influence on Indians' interpretations of their own culture, that it is very hard to get a true picture. One very interesting book on the subject, dating to the mid-1970's, is Frances King's *Wives of the God-King*, a serious anthropological study of the remaining devidasi at Puri. To summarize briefly one relevant point, the devidasi were not conventional in their sexuality, but they were also not prostitutes. Because of the ritual necessity of marriage to the god-king, they could not marry, but they often did form lasting relationships, sometimes with wealthy men who became temple patrons, at other times with less exalted defacto spouses. They certainly weren't there to service male temple personnel (one story I've heard) or to turn tricks for the temple treasury (another fiction).

India is a big place and customs change. But I think the devidasi also were casually defined by us as prostitutes ultimately because of Herodotus and the 19th century mythic thinkers, and because the 19th century Western colonials were not especially open-minded about the value of other interpretations of the family, appropriate moral behavior, or the divine.

Joy in dance,

Andrea

Dipali · 01-15-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Interesting how this concept has different meanings in different cultures, but I think India has always had a firmer grasp than the Judeo/Christian/ Islamic tradition, on sex as a facet of the Divine.
Not that any groups have ever treated women any better than the others!!
Regards,
A'isha

Dear Aisha,
Before Colonial rule, India was quite liberal about sex. Even the ancient temples which are still standing full of depictions of Gods and goddesses in intimacy acts. It was not supposed to be dirty. But things changed in the last 200 years, and sometimes Indians are very weirdly more British than the British themselves.

Quote:

Dipali, I agree that the devidasi are an important element of ethis story, especially because they are full-time temple-associated women who dance and who are not bound by conventional sexuality (i.e. marry young and stay faithful). One problem with them is that they have been romanticized or decried by Westerners for so long, and the West has at various times had such an influence on Indians' interpretations of their own culture, that it is very hard to get a true picture. One very interesting book on the subject, dating to the mid-1970's, is Frances King's *Wives of the God-King*, a serious anthropological study of the remaining devidasi at Puri. To summarize briefly one relevant point, the devidasi were not conventional in their sexuality, but they were also not prostitutes. Because of the ritual necessity of marriage to the god-king, they could not marry, but they often did form lasting relationships, sometimes with wealthy men who became temple patrons, at other times with less exalted defacto spouses. They certainly weren't there to service male temple personnel (one story I've heard) or to turn tricks for the temple treasury (another fiction)

I believe Devadasi system thrived in the temples of Puri and in some parts of Southern India since before the arrival of British and followed by other European missionaries who could not tell the difference between a Devadasi and a prostitute.1920 when the former British Government abolished the system. It was described as a low class or vulgar act. I don’t know whether personally Devadasis were treated better than any other Indian women but definitely they had a different position in the society, There is evidence that they were quite wealthy too. In the Mughal era Tawaif system was quite popular, Although it was very different to Devdasi system as there was no mention of religion with the system , Tawaif was more like a highest level entertainer who used to train and prepare girls to entertain for the king and queen and their associates.

Regards

deelybopper · 01-15-2008, 11:57 AM

The book sounds really interesting - I for one shall be getting it. Nothing I like better than wading through some gritty academic text

Thanks also Dipali and Andrea on the devidasi - really interesting!

01-09-2008, 03:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
Andrea Deagon Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 123	Dipali, I agree that the devidasi are an important element of this story, especially because they are full-time temple-associated women who dance and who are not bound by conventional sexuality (i.e. marry young and stay faithful). One problem with them is that they have been romanticized or decried by Westerners for so long, and the West has at various times had such an influence on Indians' interpretations of their own culture, that it is very hard to get a true picture. One very interesting book on the subject, dating to the mid-1970's, is Frances King's Wives of the God-King, a serious anthropological study of the remaining devidasi at Puri. To summarize briefly one relevant point, the devidasi were not conventional in their sexuality, but they were also not prostitutes. Because of the ritual necessity of marriage to the god-king, they could not marry, but they often did form lasting relationships, sometimes with wealthy men who became temple patrons, at other times with less exalted defacto spouses. They certainly weren't there to service male temple personnel (one story I've heard) or to turn tricks for the temple treasury (another fiction). India is a big place and customs change. But I think the devidasi also were casually defined by us as prostitutes ultimately because of Herodotus and the 19th century mythic thinkers, and because the 19th century Western colonials were not especially open-minded about the value of other interpretations of the family, appropriate moral behavior, or the divine. Joy in dance, Andrea __________________ "I am not contradictory, I am dispersed." (Roland Barthes)

01-15-2008, 11:57 AM	#13 (permalink)
deelybopper Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lancaster, UK Posts: 71	The book sounds really interesting - I for one shall be getting it. Nothing I like better than wading through some gritty academic text Thanks also Dipali and Andrea on the devidasi - really interesting!