https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Parasmani_DebiParasmani Debi - Revision history2026-10-29T09:27:36ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Parasmani_Debi&diff=524394&oldid=prevDenaDelamothe53: Made A Data2026-05-08T17:23:16Z<p>Made A Data</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian singer and dancer}}<br />
{{Infobox musical artist<br />
| name = Parasmani Debi<br />
| image = <br />
| caption = <br />
| birth_date = <br />
| birth_place = [[British India]]<br />
| death_date ={{death date|2021|07|10|df=y}}<br />
| death_place = Puri District, Odisha, India<br />
| origin = [[Jagannath]] Temple<br />
| genre = [[Odissi music]]<br />
| occupation = Devadasi,Singer,[[Odissi|Odissi dancer]]<br />
}}<br />
'''Parasmani Debi''' (alternatively spelled '''Parasmani''', '''Parasmani Devi'''), was the last [[devadasi]] or mahari of Shri Jagannath Temple and “human consort” of the Lord [[Jagannath]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1646738-jagannath-temples-last-devadasi-parasmani-devi-dies-at-90 |title=Jagannath temple's last 'devadasi' Parasmani Devi dies at 90 |publisher=devdiscourse |access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref> Parasmani came from a poor family and was initiated into service at the temple when she was a young ago. She was an accomplished classical musician and singer who later became a singer on Indian [[radio]]. She passed away on July 10, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sambadenglish.com/parasmani-last-surviving-devadasi-of-shree-jagannatha-temple-no-more/ |title=Parasmani, last surviving 'Devadasi' of Shree Jagannatha Temple, no more |date=10 July 2021 |publisher=Sambadenglish |access-date=10 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/Jul/11/puri-templeslast-devadasi-parasmani-passes-away-at-92-2328547.html |title=Puri temple's last Devadasi Parasmani passes away at 92 |date=11 July 2021 |publisher=New Indian Express |access-date=11 July 2021}}</ref><br />
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== Early life ==<br />
Parasmani does not remember who her parents were, only that she was adopted by devadasi Kundamani Devi when she was very young.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wunrn.com/2012/08/india-last-surviving-elderly-devadasis-of-temple-diety/ |title=India – Last Surviving & Elderly Devadasis of Temple Diety |publisher=Wunrn |access-date=13 August 2012}}</ref> Kundamani Devi was her first teacher, she began learning [[odissi dance]] and playing the [[accordion]] at the age of seven.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/jagannath-temple-s-last-devadasi-parasmani-devi-dies-at-90-11625937970064.html |title=Jagannath Temple's last 'devadasi' Parasmani Devi dies at 90 |date=10 July 2021 |publisher=New Indian Express |access-date=11 July 2021}}</ref> Later, she studied [[odissi]] music with the famous musician and singer [[Singhari Shyamsundar Kar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/Jul/11/puri-templeslast-devadasi-parasmani-passes-away-at-92-2328547.html |title=Puri temple's last Devadasi Parasmani passes away at 92 |date=11 July 2021 |publisher=The New Indian Express |access-date=11 July 2021}}</ref><br />
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== Career ==<br />
Parasmani began her artistic career as a devadasi. She joined Gahani Samprada, a singing group centered around devadasi.Parasmani is a bhitar gayani devadasi whose duty is to sing before the idols until late at night, with the aim of putting the gods to sleep. She also participate in sacrificial ceremonies at temples.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.janamtv.com/news/india/41797/centuries-old-devdasi-seva-in-sri-jagannath-temple-ends-with-mahari-parasmanis-demise/ |title=Centuries old Devdasi seva in Sri Jagannath temple ends with Mahari Parasmani's demise |date=10 July 2021 |publisher=Janam TV English |access-date=10 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://odishatv.in/news/miscellaneous/jagannath-temple-s-last-devadasi-parasmani-devi-dies-at-90-123370 |title=Jagannath Temple's Last 'Devadasi' Parasmani Devi Dies At 90 |publisher=Odisha TV |access-date=11 July 2021}}</ref>With her sweet voice and excellent skills, she then entered the world of radio in India. She became known for singing mainly odissi songs and [[bhajan]] on Indian radio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/Jul/11/puri-templeslast-devadasi-parasmani-passes-away-at-92-2328547.html |title=Puri temple's last Devadasi Parasmani passes away at 92 |date=11 July 2021 |publisher=The New Indian Express |access-date=11 July 2021}}</ref><br />
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==Personal life==<br />
Parasmani spent her later years serving the gods at the temple. She remained unmarried and devout throughout her life. She stated she would not adopt any girls, not wanting them to suffer without marriage and shelter. Parasmani lived in poverty in her later years; she was entitled to a monthly pension of 2,500 rupees, but it was always delayed or arrears were paid. She rented a small house in the Basli Sahi district of Puri for 700 rupees a month.Parasmani continued to sing at the temple in her later years; although the devadasi system had long since disappeared, married women still sought her blessings, hoping not to become widows. Later, due to her advanced age, she was unable to continue reciting the Geeta Govinda. In 2010, she was forced to stop serving at the temple due to health reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ucanews.com/story-archive/?post_name=/1995/10/17/temple-decides-to-continue-banned-devadasi-system-in-eastern-india&post_id=48122 |title=TEMPLE DECIDES TO CONTINUE BANNED ´DEVADASI´ SYSTEM IN EASTERN INDIA |publisher=Ucanews |date=16 October 1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://odishatv.in/news/miscellaneous/jagannath-temple-s-last-devadasi-parasmani-devi-dies-at-90-123370 |title=Last Devadasi of Jagannath temple passes away at 92 |publisher=India TV News |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wunrn.com/2012/08/india-last-surviving-elderly-devadasis-of-temple-diety/ |title=India – Last Surviving & Elderly Devadasis of Temple Diety |publisher=Wunrn |access-date=13 August 2012}}</ref> On July 10, 2021, Parasmani passed away in her sleep; her funeral was arranged by her adopted son, Prasanna Kumar Das.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/jagannath-temple-s-last-devadasi-parasmani-devi-dies-at-90-11625937970064.html |title=Jagannath Temple's last 'devadasi' Parasmani Devi dies at 90 |date=10 July 2021 |publisher=Mint |access-date=10 July 2021}}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{Jagannath}}<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Jagannath]]<br />
[[Category:2021 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Indian courtesans]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women classical singers]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian women singers]]<br />
[[Category:Odissi dancers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian female classical dancers]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian dancers]]<br />
[[Category:All India Radio people]]<br />
[[Category:All India Radio women]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women classical musicians]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century women musicians]]</div>DenaDelamothe53