Draft:Rudrakanyas

Rudryakanyas are one of the sects of Shaivism and consists of women who have dedicated themselves to the service of Lord Shiva through the medium of art and dance. Puranic tradition describes them alternatively as Apsaras or the daughters of Rudra born out of the divine admiration shown by the wives of the rishis of Devatāruvana towards Lord Shiva.

They have been one of the eminent pillars of Shaivite tradition and responsible for much of the development of art and keeping the science of natya sashtra alive. In the past century they have been subject to much abuse and character assassination where they had been wrongly portrayed as prostitutes and courtesans due to one off references in some texts while they were anything but.