13th October 2025 Sheeba & Beena

 Hello, everyone. Today, I am excited to share a painting by my classmate, Dr Sheeba George, a cardiologist. She enjoys painting and has explored various media. The artwork I am presenting today is a stunning portrayal of a devadasi, a female artist dedicated to the temple. When I saw this painting, I asked her if there was a story behind it. She told me she is a ‘devadasi.’

I’ll briefly explain what a devadasi is. Their origins may date back to the 3rd century. They are female artists dedicated to the temple, skilled in various forms of traditional Indian dance. They remain unmarried because they are considered married to the temple deity. They were sponsored by the royal family and lived with great luxury and respect. Unfortunately, during British colonial rule, when the royals lost their influence, many of these women, despite facing hardships, showed remarkable resilience and determination to support themselves. They suffered abuse by being labelled as prostitutes.

What I learned from this tragic story of the devadasi remains relevant today. The idea that respect is linked to wealth is still widespread in our society. When you are wealthy and live in the best places, you will be highly regarded. But the moment you lose your wealth, that respect also vanishes. How fragile is life? Although the term was originally used for women married to the deity, nowadays there are many devadasis or devadasas (the male equivalent), and the notion of respect connected to wealth continues to be relevant. Let me know what you think of the art of the story. Thanks for reading.