2016, Vol. 2, Issue 3, Part B

author(s)
Abhisek Ghosal

abstract
This paper attempts to unravel wretchedness of prostitutes in male dominated and gendered society, which is culminated in their being used as commodities in our capitalistic society. The rich Indian ancient culture is recounted to bring out the dignified and distinguished social positions of women in general and of prostitutes in particular, and then it is pitted against the declining and deteriorating condition of them. A Sanskrit text, named MÅ—cchakatika, is picked up, where prostitution has been extensively dealt with, and then, this text is approached from theoretical perspectives to bring out the discrepancies in attitude to this profession between common men of that time and that of today. Finally, this account is to be rounded off by providing a number of panaceas in support of the abolition of this profession so as to put an end to their poignant misery.