SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF DEVADASIS UNDER THE CHOLAS

The history of the devadasi system was very ancient. It was a universal phenomenon in the olden days. It was practiced all over the world in one form or the other, with certain variations. Its origin could be attributed to the fertility cult, which was very dominant in the ancient world. The devadasi system was widely prevalent in ancient India. It is not clear when the system originated in Tamilnadu. However, adequate materials are not available to establish the fact that the system was it vogue in Tamilnadu before the Sangam Age. The life of a devadasi was not an easy one. To become a devadasi a girl has to go through a few samskaras (rites of passage). These are the ritual marriage, branding ceremony, initiation into the performing arts, debut (arangerru), duties, and funreal honours. These rituals transform an ‘ordinary’ girl into an ‘ever-auspicious female.’ The inscriptions and literature of the Cholas provide ample for sketching the history of the devadasi system. Delving deeply into the system of Devadasi, one can easily bring all the matters as greenery scenes in the serene even a frizzle of facts without falling down. The Devadasis, though performed multifaceted works, they were entirely converged towards cultural and spiritual services. It is clearly known that their lives lay in two strata. Those who were in the upper stratum, lead prestigious life having been paid grants-in-aid with honours and privileges. Whereas those in the low straturn less paid and did manual works for daily allowances. During Sangam Age and after, especially during the period of the Cholas, the sculptures, inscriptions, Ula literature and various other sources of those days provide ample evidences to trace their history. We are in the limelight regarding the origin of the devadasi system and how it flourished. The names and other particulars of some 400 dancers are furnished in the inscriptions. This system covers Taḷiccheri very broadly. The girls were either voluntarily engaged or made to be Devadasis by their relatives, especially by their parents. The dancing girls’ adornment from the hair to heels with valuable costumes and ornaments show how affluent they were. Their dances were performed in Mandapas and Arankas in great temples. The varieties of music and the instruments, the postures of dancers and karanas show their expertise in the field. It is true that the Devadasis got from the public both acclamation and condemnation