The story of women getting married to God is nothing new in
Hindu Mythology or History. Being a Devdasi was not always
a compulsion but a matter of honor. The most beautiful and
devoted were chosen for serving the God. The only eligibility;
commitment.
No man, including the priest of the temple was allowed to
touch them. They were well-read, well-cultivated, well-trained,
ever-blissful and committed. Some even were priestesses.
In those days, living as a widow was tough and in the
surge of male dominance, the fate of these virtuous ladies
deteriorated. Pure, untouched, divine love for God fell prey to
lust.
Either to protect from invaders or by sheer blind faith, people
started getting their young girl-children married to God. Priests
fell from their virtues. And the Devdasi system became a
compulsion.
The priests started representing themselves as God’s
representatives. A woman offered to God turned into, ‘Prasadam’,
to be devoured in devotion to God. The first right on a Devdasi was
enjoyed by the Head Priest followed by the Head of State.
In the backdrop of brutal violence between the three sects of Hindu
followers, a God-like man appeared. Maybe he was God or all He
needed to get back into prominence. He sought the help of another
God, ‘Krishna’ from The Great Indian Epic (The Mahabharata,).
His fate too was very similar to that of Krishna.
This good looking, sensitive person who had read literature,
philosophy, science, and politics found a way out. He tried to bring
people back to their own religion, embraced the women, and gave
the world, the true meaning of love.
It is by the eternal love of Radha and Krishna that the concept of
Duality and Equality is celebrated.
Radha is Krishna and Krishna is Radha. The feeling of oneness.
The Mahabharata identifies eternal love of Radha and Krishna,
the two childhood friends, who got separated by fate.
Their story is that of friendship and devoted love. Radha
roamed around the country chanting “Hare-Krishna” making
Krishna at least look monogamous. She was his strength; his
potent energy.
Under the pressure of societal condemnations, Sati was
performed, where a widow was burnt alive at the funeral pyre of
her dead husband. Rebels would be sent to Banaras or Vrindavan
where many turned into Baiji-s or prostitutes.
These widowed ladies were known as Radharani(Queen Radha) or
Radhvi at Kashi or Vrindavan, known to be the abode of God. But
what used to go on under this veil is still unknown to many. But at
least, these widows were saved from being burnt alive. During
British India, the situation became far more stringent.
The current series photographs depict one such Radhvi
blessed with sensuality and beauty but her story is yet untold.
Just like the Goddess Radha, who was Krishna’s childhood
love or friend, she carries a Kalash (pitcher), but is dressed
like a widow of Vrindavan and Kashi. Similar emptiness is
depicted in her eyes for which Krishna’s Radharani was
always glorified.
We don’t know what has happened to her or what
she is doing.
Is she still longing for Krishna by the river side?
Or is she even afraid of getting burnt
alive or trafficked to a distant
land?
Or is it, at all, there is any Krishna
waiting for her out there?
-written by Dipanwita Mitra
Rajarshi Mukherjee
Rajarshi is a Kolkata-based photographer and filmmaker; a simple man who loves making photographs and spending time with his family. He enjoys working
on his personal projects, traveling and collaborating with talented people. He is an advocate by profession and loves biking and hiking in his free time.