A devadasi dedicated her puberty to a deity, lived in the temple and even learnt classical Indian dances to perform for the gods.

So he smiled, and accepted, and Devadasi sang for him and danced.

I even named the first of you after them: Devadasi.

Devadasi-priestessesdevoted to the Temple of Apollo.

One day, when Akbar came to the aviary with trouble on his shoulders, Devadasi fluttered down to him.

Devadasi preened and asked, "Do you not think my singing sweeter than Bulbul's, o my lord?"

The Artificer collected the Devadasi bodies.

As each bird died there was more metal, and more still, and Devadasi's wishes kept the Artificer busy.

The Devadasi birds exulted.

And so it was; she made a little golden child with wings and tail enamelled green, and named her Devadasi.

"See what you have wrought?" sang the Devadasi birds, their pure voices interweaving.

"Do not mourn, Great One," said Devadasi.