Evolution and Devolution of the Devadasi System in India: A Socio-Historical Analysis.

An attempt has been made in this paper to analyze the pan-Indian Devadasi system and tile practice of Jogini in the state of Andhra Pradesh from a civilizational perspective. While the Devadasi system is conceived as an element of the Great Tradition, the Jogini system is considered as its adaptation to specific socio-economic and politico-religious contexts. Within the domain of civilizational analysis. Redfield, Marriot and Singer, among others have established the flow of cultural elements between the Great and Little Traditions. While endorsing the basic notion of cultural flow between the civilizational elements, this paper attempts to carry the argument further by trying to understand how these socio-cultural Interactions might be grounded in material conditions of tile local cultures under study. It is further contend that as material conditions of existence is closely Interwoven with the local power structure, it would be useful to follow a three-dimensional model In understanding the interactions between the great and little traditions - the flow of cultural elements. material conditions of existence, and the bearing of local power structure on social interactions. With this model in mind, the Jogini system in Andhra Pradesh is analyzed and placed as a devoluted model of the pan-Indian Devadasi system with its specific local variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]