Three programmes investigating ancient traditions and ways of life – two of which have sparked struggles for survival; the third, a campaign for eradication.
Part Three : Temple Prostitutes
A group of former devadasis – or Temple Prostitutes – are fighting to eradicate a centuries-old Hindu tradition which turns them into prostitutes.
Originally, devadasi were celibate dancing girls used in temple ceremonies and they entertained members of the ruling class.
But sometime around the 6th Century, the practice of “dedicating” girls to Hindu gods became prevalent in a practise that developed into ritualised prostitution.
The girls are mainly of the lowest class, ‘untouchables,’ and their fight is the ultimate clash of ancient and modern culture in India.
Link for audio is available from the website, here
Have downloaded them. Thanks for the links.
I just finished listening to it: Good Lord! How can just open exploitation still be allowed!
‘I wanted to get my daughter married but then my sons got married so I had to offer her as a Devdasee or who would’ve taken care of me’…what kind of reasoning is that!
My heart bleeds for these women who were never given a way out.
In the name of religion Specs, many things happen and are accepted with a simple shrug when asked “how”. Yes, that’s the sad reality of a society steeped in poverty – for them a chance at survival is rarely seen as exploitation; its just a way to earn a living. The almost ironic issue is the loss of identity ex-devadasi’s experience once out of the profession. For most its all they’ve ever known so once they break free from the shackles they become “lost”. Hopefully most are directed towards other avenues which encourage them to earn a living without exploiting themselves or their body.
Thanks S! This is interesting.
I would agree! But what the heck were you doing watching that when you there is so much other (I would nt say better) stuff to watch on TV/web?
I just cant get enough of TED… Watch this, really interesting.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/hans_rosling_reveals_new_insights_on_poverty.html
I like these kind of documentaries. Suffice to say, I have thoroughly exhausted the BBC World Service docu archive – I expected them to have more on offer than what is currently available.
I haven’t watched TV in a long time – nothing I find appealing on it. And the Web…well they dont call it the World Wide Web for nothing
True! (Is that what its called? I thought it was called Wasting (Time) While Whining (about it). )
Khair I m hooked to the TED website these days… Some really interesting stuff there.
And who needs TV now when one can download literrally everything from the NET!