Published Paper Details:

The Devadasi culture in South India is a complex and multifaceted tradition with a long and contested history. Devadasi tradition is one of the prevalent cultures followed in South India. It traced its origin to the 6th Century Kesari dynasty followed by 7th Century Chera, Chola, and Pandya's rule in Tamil Nadu. This system has its footprints in Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Though the devadasi tradition is officially outlawed, it still casts a long shadow This paper attempts to showcase the life and transformation of a young devadasi named Yashri. Kabbyashree Dasgupta carved the life of her protagonist Yashri and other devadasi's lives in India. The argument posits that social and religious norms along with economic and social pressures contribute to this practice. This system reinforces the control of upper-caste men and their dominance by exploiting the sexuality of lower-caste and 'Dalit' women. The symbolic meaning of 'devadasis' underscores the gender and caste dynamics of control and subordination. This paper explores the psychological impact of this devadasi system through the lens of Yashri and her traumatic experiences throughout her journey. Dasgupta's depiction of Devadasi women in her novel, Devadasi in Scarlet offers a rich source for analysing these archetypal characterizations. The characters in the novel are shown not merely as victims of social structures but as bearers of complex psychological legacies, which can be interpreted through Jungian archetypes. This paper explores how the Devadasi woman encounters in society are shaped by the interplay of Jung's archetypes and the collective unconscious. By analysing the psychological depth of the characters, the study aims to shed light on the unconscious dynamics that underpin the Devadasi tradition in South India.