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There are about 80,000 Devadasis in the Karnataka State, according to the studies; but just half of them, have been recognized by the Government, said researcher-film maker Poornima Ravi said here today.

Participating in the discussion after screening her film “God’s Wives, Men’s Slaves” under the auspices of Gandhian Centre for philosophical Arts and Sciences (GCPAS), MAHE, Poornima Ravi pointed out, as government doesn’t recognize even half of the Devadasis, they don’t even get the minimum of facilities extended to the them by the government. “There should be a revised survey to include all of them and there should be immediate measures for their rehabilitation”, she urged.

Researcher Poornima Ravi, who undertook this endeavor of film making after reading author Sudha Murthy’s book “Three Thousand Stitches”, spoke about how, the Devadasi System in its degenerated form, is still prevalent in many parts of Karnataka and India, “There are about 4,50,000 Devadasis in the country”, She mentioned.

There should be earnest efforts to rehabilitate them. Both men and women involved in this practice, need to be educated in this regard. There are serious challenges involved in the reform as the practice is embedded in our cultural system, Poornima Ravi felt.

The GCPAS Head, Prof Varadesh Hiregange said the documentary tries to capture reality with all its raw details. Producer Ravi Narayana, cinematographer Nihal Noojibail, Prof Gurbuz Aktas, Dr Aravind Hebbar, Prof M L Samaga, Vid Pratibha Samaga, Dr Bhramari Shivaprakash, Vid Manasi Sudheer, Prof Sudhakar Rao and many others participated in the discussion. Ms Gauthami compered the programme. Ms Velika proposed the vote of thanks.