Female Functionaries of Medieval South Indian Temples
By S. Chandni
Summary
This study examines the roles and socio-economic conditions of female functionaries in early medieval South Indian temples, primarily based on inscriptions from the Chola period. It highlights that women were involved in diverse temple duties, including cleaning, cooking, flower collection, paddy husking, dancing, singing, and musical performances. The Brahadeswara Temple at Thanjavur (985-1014 A.D.) employed nearly 400 female servants, constituting half of the total temple retinue, who received housing and remuneration. Recruitment methods varied, including voluntary dedication (Dattai), familial donations, royal appointments, and even forced entry through war captives or slavery. Terms like *Risabhataliyar*, *Devaradiyal*, and *Kuttiyal* were used to denote female functionaries, though their specific roles often extended beyond dancing, contrary to common assumptions. Royal-appointed women were treated equally to male counterparts in remuneration, job security, and living conditions, with salaries comparable to artisans and accountants. Inscriptions reveal hierarchical structures among female servants, with seniority influencing housing and responsibilities. Duties included ritual tasks like holding lamps, preparing offerings, and performing dances like *Sakkai Kuttu* and *Agamarga*. The study challenges the misconception that temple women were exclusively dancers, emphasizing their multifaceted contributions to temple operations and their socio-economic integration into the temple system.
Conclusion
This study highlights the significant yet underexplored role of female functionaries in early medieval South Indian temples, revealing their diverse roles in religious, administrative, and artistic functions. The analysis of inscriptions from temples like Thanjavur's Brahadeswara shows that women constituted nearly half of the temple workforce, performing tasks ranging from ritual duties and music to maintenance and paddy husking. Their recruitment varied, including royal appointments, familial donations, and voluntary dedication, with evidence suggesting they were treated equally to male counterparts in terms of remuneration and conditions. The study challenges the misconception that female roles were limited to dancing, emphasizing their multifaceted contributions. It also underscores the socio-economic implications of their service, including religious sanctions for their lifestyles and the hereditary nature of their positions. By examining inscriptions and recruitment patterns, the research provides a nuanced understanding of their status, hierarchy, and the structured systems governing temple management, offering new insights into the economic and cultural fabric of medieval