| History of South India Devadasi | ||
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International Refereed Journal of Tamil Studies Research (IRJTSR) © 2026 by IRJTSR Journal Volume-8 Issue-4 Year of Publication : 2025 Authors : Miss. Thiyagarajah Adchana |
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| Citation: MLA Style: Miss. Thiyagarajah Adchana, "History of South India Devadasi" International Refereed Journal of Tamil Studies Research (IRJTSR) V8.I4 (2026): 27-29. APA Style: Miss. Thiyagarajah Adchana, History of South India Devadasi, International Refereed Journal of Tamil Studies Research (IRJTSR), v8(i4), 27-29. |
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| சுருக்கம்: The word Devadasi is generally translated as 'servant of God'. However, this simple translation does not cover its full cultural and religious meaning. The Agamas and Puranas explain that a Devadasi is a woman who has dedicated her entire life to the service of God through art. There are many mythological stories about the origin of Devadasis. The Padma Purana states that the wives of the Devas were captured by Asuras. After that event, they lost their celestial position and were born on earth as Devadasis, where they served the Lord and finally attained Moksha. The Kamikagama gives another explanation. In its chapter called Nupurasaptham, it is said that from the three powers of Lord Shiva - Ichcha Shakti, Jnana Shakti and Kriya Shakti - two divine women, Rudrakannikai and Rudradasi, were created. The Agama describes their character, moral code and daily temple duties in detail.Their work area was from the Maha Mandapam to the Garbhavarana Prakaram. Their duties were to clean the temple, decorate it with Thiruvilakku and Thirumekhukittu, wear Panchabharanas, carry lamps, sing devotional songs and perform Nritham during poojas. The Agamas classify dance into three types - Suddha, Misra and Kevala. It is said that Suddha Nritham was prescribed only for Rudrakannikais. |
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| முக்கிய வார்த்தைகள்: Devadasi, God, Earth, Maha Mandapam, Moksha. |
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| துணைநூற்பட்டியல்: [1] NITYASUMANGALI (Devadasi Tradition In South India) by.Saskia C.Kersenboom puplishers by Mothal banarsidass private limited. [2] DEVADASI (The preserver of Indian Classical Dance) [3] Nattya Shastra written by Bharata Muni, English translated by N.P Unni [4] En Sarithiram by U.V.Swaminatha Iyer |
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