Meet Phoolan Devi, A Widow Who Pursued Dancing Despite Societal Judgement

Widowhood And Societal Judgement go hand in hand. Phoolan Devi, a performing artist from Chitrakoot, a city in Uttar Pradesh, took the responsibility of her family and their financial needs after her husband's death. Society's judgement and scorn did not make her give up as she became a performing artist for her family.

There are many such inspiring stories of women around the world that does not get the attention it deserves and these women continue to struggle and make it through in silence. One such inspiring woman is Phoolan Devi, a performing artist from Chitrakoot, who put the societal judgement behind her and pursued what she wanted to help herself and her family survive.

Widowhood And Societal Judgement: Meet Phoolan Devi, A Widow Performing Artist

Phoolan Devi got married in 2008 and lived a happy life with her kids and husband in Chitrakoot. After just four years of marriage, her husband died in 2012, leaving the responsibility of the family and her children on her shoulders. In order to survive, she took odd jobs and labour work and tried hard to make ends meet. One of the people at labour work suggested her to become a performing artist. The job would pay well and all she needed to do was dance and sing in parties and gatherings. However, she was reluctant at first as she had the fear of performing in front of so many people.

“Every person, every woman can dance but picking up a mic is a challenge. For me speaking and singing in front of everyone on a mic felt like a challenge so that it where I worked hard at” is what she told Khabar Lahariya. She talked about how she overcame her stage fright and became a professional dancer in 2015. The society was against her when she started working to provide for her family and does labour work and it sure was going to have a problem with her singing and dancing in public gatherings. However, she did not let the scorn and judgement come in her way and continued doing what she felt was right.

From a widow who had nobody to rely on to an independent woman providing for her family, Phoolan Devi has come a long way. Now she gets invitation to perform at events and weddings in Allahabad and Banda for which she reportedly gets Rs. 2000 per event. She is able to do around 10 events per month and around 25-30 during the wedding season. She also does not shy away from taking up labour work whenever she needs to.

Picture Credit : Khabar Lahariya Instagram

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