REVIVAL OF DEVADASIS AS PORTRAYED IN SUDHA MURTY'S 'THREE THOUSAND STITCHES'

Abstract

In India, a Devadasi is a female artist who is treated like a slave and dedicated to serving a temple for her entire life. They are considered the female servants of the gods. During the period of British rule in India, kings who were patrons of temples lost their power, leading to a decline in significance for temple artist communities. Consequently, they lost their traditions and became associated with prostitution. Additionally, British colonies practiced them as non-religious street dancers. Despite this, Devadasi people still exist in places like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and even in Tamil Nadu. Women from these communities are not allowed to marry. In ancient times, they were divided into seven categories: Dutta, Hruta, Bikrita, Bhrutya, Alankara, and Gopika or Rudraganika. The paper explores how Sudha Murthy's book influences the reformation of Devadasi women in patriarchal societies.