The Evolving Semantics of Devadasi: An Analysis of the Struggle and Resistance of Devadasis in the Light of Selected Movies
Kavya Das T1, P. P Vijayalakshmi2
1Kavya Das T, Student Integrated MA, X Semester, Department of English and Languages, School of Arts and Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Amrita Kochi Campus, India.
2Dr. P. P Vijayalakshmi, Professor, Department of English and Languages, School of Arts and Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Amrita Kochi Campus, India.
Manuscript received on 15 May 2019 | Revised Manuscript received on 22 May 2019 | Manuscript Published on 08 June 2019 | PP: 189-192 | Volume-8 Issue-7C May 2019 | Retrieval Number: G10390587C19/19©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Currently movies are the most effective and influential form of art. It has an immense role in the building and re-building of cultural codes. And also has an effective role in moulding the mass psyche. Society reflects in movies and in turn movies influence society. So the movies have a bidirectional influence in our society. The portrayal of devadasis in movies shows the easy subjugation of women and the multiple ways in which they are marginalized by the society. The identity of devadasis got negatively transformed when they were forced to enter into prostitution. It is apparent that the subaltern woman who has no choices in her life has to act under the principles of patriarchy and thereby denounces her femininity. The present paper identifies the different elements of subjugation of devadasis in the light of feminist theory. Andit also identifies the journey of their battle through the selected movies, Vaisali(1988), Devdas(2002), and Pranali-The Tradition (2008).
Keywords: Devadasis, Subaltern Women, Identity, Patriarchy, Femininity.
Scope of the Article: Social Sciences