The institutions of Ganika and Devadasi from ancient to medieval times
Author :Dange, Sindhu S.
Keywords :Devadasis
Prostitution
Prostitutes--Social conditions
India
Issue Date :1990
Publisher :Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi
Description :The art of dance music (vocal and instrumental) and acting have their roots in hoary past and can be traced back to the time of the Rgveda. The art of instrumental music was well developed in the vedic age is indicated by the variety of musical instruments mentioned are Kandavina, Talava, Tiinava, Dundubhi, Nadi (Nali) Vana, Vanici, Adarnbara. The institution of ganika thus played a vital role in keeping alive the arts of dance and music which in the beginning originated in secular cirlces. With the rise of temples and temple worship singing and dancing came to be regarded as necessary adjuncts of image worship. And here we can trace the origin of the temple girls or devedasis. In the tradition of ganikas or devediisis, a prostitute (vesya) stands on a lower step of the ladder. All the same a vesye was shown much respect both on religious and secular occasions. Present article tried to explain the role of ganika and devdasis towards dance music in ancient to medival times.
Source :Sangeet Natak Akademi
Type :Article
Received From :Sangeet Natak Akademi
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.author
Dange, Sindhu S.
dc.date.accessioned
2017-07-05T02:54:59Z
dc.date.available
2017-07-05T02:54:59Z
dc.date.issued
1990
dc.description.abstract
The art of dance music (vocal and instrumental) and acting have their roots in hoary past and can be traced back to the time of the Rgveda. The art of instrumental music was well developed in the vedic age is indicated by the variety of musical instruments mentioned are Kandavina, Talava, Tiinava, Dundubhi, Nadi (Nali) Vana, Vanici, Adarnbara. The institution of ganika thus played a vital role in keeping alive the arts of dance and music which in the beginning originated in secular cirlces. With the rise of temples and temple worship singing and dancing came to be regarded as necessary adjuncts of image worship. And here we can trace the origin of the temple girls or devedasis. In the tradition of ganikas or devediisis, a prostitute (vesya) stands on a lower step of the ladder. All the same a vesye was shown much respect both on religious and secular occasions. Present article tried to explain the role of ganika and devdasis towards dance music in ancient to medival times.
dc.source
Sangeet Natak Akademi
dc.format.extent
5-9 p.
dc.format.mimetype
application/pdf
dc.identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/3638
dc.language.iso
en
dc.publisher
Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi
dc.subject
Devadasis
Prostitution
Prostitutes--Social conditions
India
Government of India
