Belthangady: Documentary ‘God’s Wives Men’s Slaves’ by Poornima Ravi wins Impact Docs Award

Team Udayavani, Mar 4, 2024, 8:32 AM IST

Belthangady: The documentary “God’s Wives Men’s Slaves,” crafted by filmmaker Poornima Ravi, has been chosen for the Award of Recognition at the esteemed Impact Docs Awards in the United States.

Directed by Poornima Ravi, an alumna of Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwar College, Ujire, the 78-minute documentary delves into the poignant narratives of Devadasis, shedding light on their struggles and societal stigmas. The film presents the stories of over 40 Devadasis, offering a candid glimpse into their lives and the challenges they have faced.

Crafted by filmmaker Poornima Ravi, an alumna of Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwar College, Ujire, the 78-minute documentary sheds light on the lives of Devadasis, highlighting their struggles and societal stigmas. The film presents the stories of over 40 Devadasis, offering a candid glimpse into their lives and the challenges they have faced.

Poornima Ravi, a research scholar at Mangalore University and guest lecturer at Govt First Grade College for Women, Puttur, embarked on a mission to raise awareness and seek solutions for the issues confronted by Devadasis. Her research, guided by Dr. Nayana Kashyap, Associate Professor at FMKMC College, Madikeri, focuses on the representations of the Devadasi tradition in select Indian English narratives.

The documentary not only provides a historical context of the Devadasi system but also addresses the grim reality faced by their offspring. Expert testimonies within the film underscore the significant contributions of Devadasis to society, despite enduring social ostracization.