Thiruvananthapuram :

The banned ‘devadasi’ system, in which women are dedicated in local temples for the service of the deity and later allegedly forced into sex trade, still exists in many parts of India, according to a new book. “Visudha Papangalude India” (India:The Land of Holy Sins), a Malayalam book which will hit the bookstores soon, says many of the ‘devadasis’ are forced into flesh trade to earn their daily bread as they are denied a normal family life.

Journalist-turned-writer Arun Ezhuthachan unveils in the book, the plight and painful struggle of marginalised women, including ‘devadasis’, who are subjected to various kinds of exploitation in the name of rituals and religious practices. “We talk about various kinds of exploitation and harassment against women. But the problems of marginalised groups like devadasis are different,” Arun said. “It is really shocking to know that women are exploited in the name of centuries-old rituals and religious customs even now, in this 21st century.

The painful saga of widows of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, who are destined to live as Lord Krishna’s beloved Radha, is also not different,” he said.

The book, published by DC books, also throws light into the life and problems faced by sex workers in redlight areas in the country, including Kamathipura and Sonagachi.

The interview with some of the widows of Vrindavan, who reach the temple town after being ostracised by their families and society, gives a grim picture about the life of marginalised women in the modern India.

“As per law books, the devadasi system is not in practice anywhere in the country and it was banned by law in all states in different periods. But I met a number of young women who had been dedicated to deities in recent times in rural villages of states like Karnataka,” Arun, a reporter with Malayala Manorama daily, said.

As they were not allowed to marry anybody or led a normal family life, many of them were forced to turn to flesh trade either in their own villages or in red light areas in cities, he said.

According to the book, as per official figures, as many as 46,000 former devadasis have been identified in Karnataka alone, adding, they are getting a meagre pension of Rs 500 per month.(MORE) LGK JRK BN DV

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Thiruvananthapuram / PTI / May 29th, 2016

Alappuzha  :

Kashi mutt chief Samyamindra Thirtha led the ‘thapta mudra dharana’, a rare ritual of the Vaishnavite sect of Brahmins, at Sri Venkatachalapathy temple, Old Thirumala, here, on Wednesday. The seer has reached the temple as part of a four-day camp organised by the Gowda Saraswath Brahmin community.

“Special Vedic hymns were chanted as part of the ritual, which is supposed to purify the body and soul of the participants and thus help them lead a pious life. Impressions of sacred symbols like ‘sankha’(sacred conch) and ‘chakra’ (sacred circle) were made on the bodies of devotees using heated ‘pancha loha’(made of 5 metals) mudras,” said a priest of the GSB Sabha.

Besides, ‘sahasradeepalankara seva’ (festival of thousand lights) was also held.  Sri Venkatachalapathy temple is the only place in the state which conducts this ritual. The seer also addressed the youths at a function organised by the Samyuktha Grama Sabha.  Prizes and study materials were distributed to those who have passed various examinations and competitions with flying colours.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / May 26th, 2016

The 20th Kamukara Foundation award was presented to playback singer P. Madhuri at a function at the University Senate Hall here on Sunday.

Actor Madhu presented the award in memory of yesteryear playback singer Kamukara Purushothaman. The award consists of a sculpture and citation.

Madhu said that Kamukara was a singer who had sung far less number of songs compared to other singers, but each one of them had a unique quality.

“Much before I had a chance to meet him, I had fallen in love with one of his songs Aathmavidhyalayame from Harishchandra .

I used to listen to them endlessly, imagining the visuals.

Later, I had the luck of acting out one of his songs, Ekandhathayude apaara theeram , which remains one of my favourites. It is such a powerful song and I had so much trouble lip-syncing that song. I feel blessed to have got a chance to act out his songs,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Staff Reporter / Thiruvananthapuram – May 23rd, 2016