Ashta Nayika
अष्टनायिकाSanskritSay it: aṣh · ṭa · naa · yi · kaa
- ṭ ḍ — t and d with the tongue tip curled back
- aa ee oo ē ō — long vowels: hold them twice as long
The eight heroines — eight states of a woman in love
ConceptBharatanatyamKuchipudiOdissiMohiniyattam
Meaning
Ashta Nayika is the classification of the heroine into eight types according to her situation with her beloved, first set out in the Natyashastra. The eight are Vasakasajja, Virahotkanthita, Svadhinabhartruka, Kalahantarita, Khandita, Vipralabdha, Proshitabhartruka and Abhisarika.
Also written: ashtanayika, ashta nayikas, ashta nayaki, eight nayikas