Devadasi nritya

Devadasi nritya, the dance of the Devadasi, is a sacred dance tradition in India where the Temple dancer, the Devadasi, dances to please deities. This dance tradition, especially popular in South India, comes in several forms depending on where the dance is performed, and it is steeped in the culture and traditions of temples and their rituals.

• Sacred Dance:
  Devadasi nritya is a traditional form of worship. The dances are performed in temple halls in an effort to draw forth spiritual power and express devotion.
• Temple Dancer (Devadasi):
  Devadasis are women who were consecrated to temple service. They often underwent a ceremony, called “pottukattal”, which signified that they were ceremonially married to the deity.
• Variations and Regional Styles:
  Devadasi nritya comes in several forms and styles across different regions that reflect their local traditions and aesthetics.
• Historical Significance:
  The Devadasi has had an important role in temple worship and have been artists maintaining that tradition over many centuries.
• Social Evolution and Impact:
  The Devadasi system and their work and lives has also evolved and faced social change particularly with the anti-nautch movement and social pressures faced by females.
• Modern Revival:
  Some forms of Devadasi dance such as Vilasini Natyam have been revived, which demonstrate the artistic legacy of the tradition.
  Examples of Devadasi Dance Styles:
• Sadir Attam (Dasi Attam): Some people refer to this dance form as classical dance (Sadir attam is a classical form as it is regarded as a root of Bharatanatyam) is practiced by Devadasis.
• Kuchipudi and other styles: Devadasis also practiced other classical Indian dances like Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, and Odissi.
• Kacheri dance: Like the others, kacheri is a form of dance, which was developed in royal courts and then practiced by Devadasis in Andhra Pradesh.