Nayika, The Classical Indian Heroine

As Han Suyin would say – Love is a many-splendoured thing, and so is the Nayika. She represents many shades of love, love in union and love in separation. Out of many, eight are prominent. They are portrayed in literature, presented on stage by beautiful dancers and formalised by master sculptors in their art. ⠀

The Ashtanayikas refer to the eight divisions based on the eight stages of the heroine’s love life. A ready reckoner of the quintessential woman in love, if you will.⠀
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The Ashtanayikas from Bharata Muni’s Natyashastra are:⠀
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✿ Abhisarika The Bold One |⠀
A woman in intense love, sets aside her modesty and moves out to meet her lover, facing all kinds of difficulties.⠀
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✿ Kalahantarika The Repentant One |⠀
A woman impatient for her lover who has gone away due to quarrel or jealousy, and not returning.⠀
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✿ Khandita The Annoyed One |⠀
A woman whose beloved one, due to attachment to another lover, does not come for conjugal union when it is due, is an enraged heroine.⠀
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✿ Proshitapathika The One with Longing |⠀
A woman whose lover is away on tour, sojourning.⠀
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✿ Swadhinabhartruka The Apple of her Lover’s Eye |⠀
A woman whose lover is captivated by her pleasing qualities, as well as intense pleasure of love from her.⠀
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✿ Vasakasajjika The Expectant |⠀
A woman, eager with the expectation of love’s pleasure, decorating herself joyfully. ⠀
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✿ Virahotkantita The Separated One |⠀
A woman whose lover does not turn up, afflicts her with sadness. She is distressed by separation.⠀
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✿ Vipralabda The Disappointed One |⠀
A Khandita heroine with the realisation that her lover will not turn up after making a tryst, and that she has been deceived. ⠀

The photo featured here is a Nayika sculpture from Chennakeshva temple – can you guess which one of the eight AshtaNayikas is depicted here?

Ishva recommends: Women in Sculpture by Manohar Laxman Varadpande. A fantastic read.