The Devadasi System
The Devadasi system is a centuries old Hindu tradition where preadolescent and adolescent girls from lower cast are married to a deity or temple and dedicate their lives to “divine service”. They act as spiritual guides, dancers and prostitutes servicing male devotees and locals. Most of these devadasis are forced into this culture by their lower caste families and, in some cases, to practice prostitution for upper class members. The reasons to give up their daughters to this cult can be various like poverty, illiteracy, superstitions, fever, dreadlocks, illnesses, family disputes, stubborn or rebellious behavior, or because someone told them to.
Originally, they had high status in the society and performed dance during religious ceremonies or for entertainment along with fortune telling. Since they were already married to a deity, they weren’t allowed to marry a mortal man. However, they were free to have intimate and sexual relationships with married or unmarried men. They learnt music and dance. They’ve contributed a great deal to Carnatic music. It is even said that Devadasis are the ones who developed Bharatanatyam. In the mid-20th century, some of these devadasis got married and started teaching this dance form and as members of other castes started learning it, Bharatanatyam came to be known as one of the most prominent dance forms in India. Ironic that a dance form developed by low caste women is performed by people of all castes and religions today.
Around 6th century, the devadasi system became a prevalent tradition for ritualistic prostitution. A well-known newspaper once reported that the Devadasi system was a set up as a result of conspiracy between the feudal class (Kshatriyas) and the priests (Brahmins). The latter, with the ideological and religious hold over the peasants and craftsmen, devised a means that gave prostitution their religious sanction. Another conspiracy theory states that the devadasis lost their high status in the society because the system was frowned upon by the British Raj which reduced their importance, hence, their means of earning. This made them enter prostitution to earn their livelihood.
The British government tried to abolish it. Even after independence, many state governments made it illegal. However it continues to exist in Karnataka, and in some parts of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. As most of them are prostitutes, they are exposed to a lot of STDs and unwanted pregnancies. There are an estimated 50,000 devadasis in south India.
Jogappas
Patriarchy affects both men and women. Jogappas are basically male devadasis. It’s based on a folklore which goes like this. Renuka was the wife of an ascetic sage, Jamadagni. One day she failed to bring water in a pot as the wet clay couldn’t hold it because she got aroused by the sight of young Gandharva men. Hence, Jamadagni ordered his three sons to behead their own mother. Two of them refused to do so. The third one, Parshuram showed “courage” and slayed his mother, for which he was granted a boon. Henceforth, the two sons were cursed to lose their masculinity as they were “coward” enough to not kill their own mother. Thus, Renuka came to be known as Yellamma (the goddess of all) and her two sons as Jogappas.
Young boys are said to be possessed by the goddess when they have ailments that the local doctor or witch cannot cure, or when they exhibit stubborn or feminine behavior, or when found with matted hair. They become transgender people after the ritual and dress up pretty much the same as any other jogati (devadasi). Jogappas are respected more than the hijra community. Moreover, jogappas don’t have to leave their families after converting, but sometimes they are forced into this by their own families in the first place. However, for jogappas it is not always a choice to be Trans as it is for hijras. Jogappas are not allowed to go through castration or engage in any kind of sexual activity, although some of them are sex-workers. This kind of portrayal of them being away from any sexual activity, prevents NGOs to reach out to them to create awareness about STDs. But, it is becoming increasingly hard for them to earn as they are forbidden to beg at shops and public places as well. The bright side of this community is that many men who aspire to be transgender join this community to be freed from being judged by society as jogappas are respected and considered divine beings. It is the least known transgender community of India and their number is decreasing due to decreasing popularity and very limited means of earning.
