Nayika
नायिकाSanskritSay it: naa · yi · kaa
- aa ee oo ē ō — long vowels: hold them twice as long
The heroine whose feelings the dance portrays
ConceptBharatanatyamKuchipudiOdissiMohiniyattam
Meaning
The nayika is the heroine of an expressive piece — the character whose thoughts and changing moods are shown at that moment. Much of the abhinaya repertoire, especially varnam and padam, is told through her eyes.
Also written: naayika, nayaki, nayike