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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.language.iso en
dc.publisher Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi
dc.subject Devadasis
Prostitution
Prostitutes--Social conditions
India
dc.type Article
dc.identifier.issuenumber 97
dc.format.medium text
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.language.iso en
dc.publisher Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi
dc.subject Devadasis
Prostitution
Prostitutes--Social conditions
India
dc.type Article
dc.identifier.issuenumber 97
dc.format.medium text