Devadasi with Dhol

Materials: Pink Stone is used in this Devadasi with Dhol. It is a famous stone variety of Odisha.

Devadasi with Dhol 8″

A devadasi was a female artist who was dedicated to worship and serve a deity or a temple for the rest of her life. The dedication took place in a Pottukattu ceremony that was somewhat similar to a marriage function. In addition to taking care of the temple and performing customs, these women also studied and practiced classical Indian artistic cultures such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi. Their social status was high as dance and music were a necessary part of temple prayer.

After becoming Devadasis, the women would spend their time learning sacred rites, rituals, and dances. Devadasis were supposed to live a life of celibacy, however, there have been situations of exceptions. In the eastern state of Odisha Devadasis were known colloquially as Maharis of the Jagannath temple complex.

The term Devadasi associated with the women who danced inside the temple. Devadasi, or Mahari, means “those great women who can control natural human impulses, their five senses and can submit themselves completely to God.” Mahari means Mahan Nari that is, the woman belonging to God. Sri Chaitanayadev had defined Devadasis as Sebayatas who served God through dance and music.

The 1956 Orissa Gazette references Devadasis dances. They had two daily rituals. The Bahara Gaaunis would dance at the Sakala Dhupa. After breakfast Lord Jagannatha would give Darshana to the bhaktas (the devotees). In the main hall, a Devadasi, accompanied by musicians and the Rajaguru (the court guru), would dance standing near the Garuda stambha (pillar). They would perform only pure dance and could be watched by the audience.

The Bhitara Gaunis would sing at the Badashinghara, the main celebration for ornamenting and dressing God. At bedtime, Lord Jagannatha would first be served by male Sebayatas, who would fan him and decorate him with blossoms. After they left, a Bhitara Gaauni would then enter the room, stand near the door (Jaya Vijaya), sing Gita Govinda songs, and perhaps perform a ritualistic dance. Later she would come out and declare that the Lord has gone to sleep and the guard would close the main gate.

The 1956 Orissa Gazette lists nine Devadasis and eleven temple musicians. By 1980, only four Devadasis were left – Harapriya, Kokilaprabha, Parashmani, and Shashimani. By 1998, only Shashimani and Parashmani were still alive. The daily ritualistic dance had stopped, although Shashimani and Parashmani served in a few of the yearly temple rituals such as Nabakalebara, Nanda Utsava, and Duara Paka during Bahuda Jatra.

In India, Devadasi is a female artist who is dedicated to worship and serve a deity or a temple for the rest of her life. These beautiful statues are famous all around the world for enhancing the beauty of any landscape.

• The sheer immensity of this Devadasi with Dhol is mesmerizing.
• This  Devadasi Sculpture (angel statue) will bring elegance to any landscape.
• In this figure, a Devadasi is standing in a dancing pose.
• The graceful look of this Devadasi with Dhol represents beauty and devotion towards God.
• Our artisan carves this sculpture with a single block of Soapstone, which increases its durability of this Devadasi with Dhol in many folds.
• It is completely one of a kind masterpiece. Any changes are possible on a customized piece of Devadasi with Dhol, as per our Art Lover customer’s choice.