The real truth behind Krishnadasis.

It is spine chilling, and we bet it is beyond your imagination!

Published: Saturday,Jul 23, 2016 11:08 AM GMT-06:00

Atharva Lobo

The Devdasi culture is a not so known part of India. Not until the show Krishnadasi was created. But trust me when I say it, it has been mellowed down a lot!

Who are these Devdasis and what to they do? Most of us have a rough idea about the same but here is what a Devdasi is-

A Devdasi is a girl "dedicated" to worship and service of a deity or a temple for the rest of her life. She is a dancer, who is trained to dance in the temple. Devdasis are responsible for taking care of the temple. They look after the cleaning, decor, and maintenance of these temples. These women would often be married to patrons who would provide them financial aid. Despite their marriage, the Devdasi's continued their practice of performance arts. The patrons married other women as their housewives! Over the period of time, a lot of Devdasis had established themselves across the country. Most of them were picked up by the patrons for sexual services. Patrons would also switch from one dasi to another and it didn't take long for this culture to turn into a form of prostitution!

Probably, this part of the culture is too bold for Indian television. But half knowledge is dangerous!

(Shashimoni, one of India's oldest living Devdasi)

Devdasis have seen tough times during the British rule. The British clearly understood the racket these women were running in the name of God. Most of the patrons of these temples were influential leaders of India (kings,Subedars, Landlords) who became powerless during the British rule. This gave a boost to prostitution as the dasis had lost their source of income!

In the modern times, Devdasi culture has faded. But the culture still exists in the remote parts of south and west India. The harsh reality about this culture is that when the dasis give birth, their offsprings have to follow their methods and there is no arguing. There was a time when being born a Devdasi was considered lucky, but now the children are forced into performing arts and prostitution.

Despite numerous attempts at shutting down this culture, our country has always failed as they get away on religious grounds! What the show focuses on is a petty love story with minor twists. In the initial episodes, we saw bits and parts of the real Devdasi culture, but over the last few months, the Devdasi part has faded. It seems like the makers want to focus on Fan-service rather than show the reality!

Believe it or not, this is the harsh reality of Devdasis in our country.

Your reaction

Nice

Awesome

Loved

LOL

OMG

Cry

Fail

Chhavi Mittal

Shravan Reddy

Jaya Binju

Sana Amin Sheikh

Krishnadasi

Colors

Comments (11)

nandhu19 @nandhu19

⋮

Krishnadasi rocks...
Shravan Reddy and Sana Amin Sheikh are dng fab job

8 years ago

seeheeryou @seeheeryou

+ 2

⋮

Krishnadasi rocks!
AaRa <3
Sana Sheikh
Shravan Reddy
Thanks for the ridiculous article IF

8 years ago

2 Reply

K.AJAY MANIKANTA @ajay227

⋮

Well...they r following the novel as written by IndiraSoundarRajan with essential changes as per audience taste!!!!It was always a love story with a strong background and thats what they r showing!!!!They r able to communicate to audience d core concept and r successful in making ppl know abt it and d humiliation Devadasis has to face!!!!So no need to criticize the show on this aspect!!!Thanks to COLORS&PADMINI ji for a unique&bold concept!!!Krishnadasi rocks...one of d few shows ri8 now with great story line unlike d cliche types we see!!!!ShraNa rockzz as AaRa...D cast is superb!!!!!Love KD!!!

8 years ago

6 Reply

Tanusri Sarkar @shravanfan

⋮

one thing i like about the show that perspective of every character are different. young generation is against it where older generation (specially kumudini) wants to flaunt it.. she still live in the delusion of the time when devdasis were honorable. and of course there are some hypocrite who thinks the devdasis are worse creature yet force people to be one for their benefit. the show started as good but unfortunately the show got derailed to be the demanding so called youth show... i still don't know what's youth show! romance only?! .. it seems like the trend is like such only... love story is much needed but only lovestory without a story is waste of time to watch. ...anyway beautiful cast of the show. their acting is only saving grace..hope writers will add some good track related to theme soon.

8 years ago

7 Reply

dey.bh @dey.bh

⋮

The concept of Devdasi is as horrifying as the concept of child marriage shown in BV or the concept of honour killing shown in Rishton se badi pratha or even the concept of female foeticide shown in Na aana is des meri ladoo. Tv shows are in fact worst way to gather information about any subject. Where chutki bhar sindoor and one mangalsutra means unbreakable marital bond, how can such bold subjects even think of surviving ?

Another show Phir Subah hogi was on the same lines. As per the story lines of such social themed series, the fate of every woman with social stigma shall be changed only if they are married to the best grooms. The girl fighting for her honour finally finds her heaven in a man who is an elite with a good heart. What follows is then an impossible love story and the audience is amused to see how love overcomes all issues in life. All these social subjects are just to make a background of one such love struggle.

8 years ago

3 Reply

ChipChipiBhaalu @OriginalJuhi_04

+ 9

⋮

To show everything, they need to telecast d show after 11pm or make it web series.

8 years ago

4 Reply

Sup_20 @Sup_20

⋮

Thanks for sharing great knowledge..bcoz of kd show we got to know about the kd customs...kd cast hv justified each and every role...loved krishnadasi..keep rocking

8 years ago

3 Reply

soniadutta @soniadutta

⋮

Indian soaps only works acc to trps bcos still they won't ready to accept bold concepts
The makers tried hard to give justice in first few months but lots of involvement from channel ruined it
But still we love this show and jodi

8 years ago

5 Reply

yehfitoor @yehfitoor

⋮

good article.krishnadasi is very bold concept it is different from other shows but it is true they only show some bits of the story with real theme.now story is totally out of the theme.
kriahnadasi had really very good cast every actor is doing very well.
kriahnadasi is always rockzzz

8 years ago

4 Reply

Eloquent @Eloquent

+ 2

⋮

Good article. Agreed. The show started good with some obviously watered down scenes about the plight of the Devdasis but has been butchered into the same mundane plotlines in the rush for TRPs. The channel is to be blamed for this since it axes shows with low TRPs.

8 years ago

5 Reply