WATCHING AND BEING WATCHED: POWER, SURVEILLANCE AND AGENCY WITHIN THE DEVADASI SYSTEM

Abstract

This article explores the devadasi system in India through the dual thoughts of Michael Foucault’s Panopticism and Agency Theory, examining how power dynamics and social control mechanisms were both enforced and resisted. The devadasi system, originally a revered religious practice, evolved into a complex structure of exploitation and marginalization, where women dedicated to temple service were subjected to pervasive surveillance and disciplinary practices. By applying Panopticism, this study reveals how the British administrators and the nationalists maintained strict control over devadasis, ensuring their subjugation within the social hierarchy. Simultaneously, Agency Theory illuminates how devadasis challenged these oppressive structures, asserting their autonomy in subtle but significant ways. This analysis not only deepens our understanding of the devadasi system but also contributes to broader discussions on the intersections of power, control and agency in marginalized communities. The study also highlights the importance of examining historical systems of oppression through critical and theoretical frameworks to uncover both the mechanisms of control and the resilience of those subjected to them