Pedestrian Pictures is holding the premier of the documentary film The Holy Wives, a journey through the life and struggle of Devadasis in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh on October 4.

The film, directed by Ritesh Sharma, documents the lives of women who were forced into the Devadasi system in her early teens.

It brings out the lives of communities who had been victimised in a system of caste-based sexual exploitation, variously called Devadasis, Jogins, Basavis, Kalawants, Paravatis or Mathammas.

The narrative unfolds through the stories of their life, struggle and their dreams of a dignified life for their children. Even after the system was banned in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, life remains difficult for the Devadasis, in the absence of credible alternatives.

The children from these communities were still being trafficked. Ritesh Sharma is a Delhi-based activist, theatre person who has been associated in several video productions since 2005.

The film will be screened on October 4 at 4.30 p.m. Screening is at IAT, Queens’ Road. For details, email pedepics@gmail.com.