Ashtanayika: The Romantic Heroines from Nātyaśāstra to Modernity explores the timeless archetypes of the Aṣtanāyikā, the eight classical heroines of love and longing immortalized in Bharata Muni's Nātyaśāstra. These evocative figures have transcended their classical origins, leaving lasting imprints on Indian art, literature, music, and performance traditions. While the Aṣtanāyikā theme has appeared in earlier works, this is the first comprehensive volume to firmly ground the subject within the original framework of the Nātyaśāstra, further enriched by poetic interpretations from diverse vernacular traditions.

This book invites readers on a compelling journey into the heart of Śrngāra Rasa, the rasa of love, as it manifests across all forms of artistic expression. Whether in the colors of paintings, the rhythms of dance, the melodies of music, the carvings of sculpture, or the metaphors of literature, love and passion emerge in myriad shades and moods. The Aṣtanāyikā serve as powerful symbols that bridge the inner world of human emotion with the outer world of artistic imagination.

Blending classical research, poetic reflection, and contemporary insights, this work explores both the emotional and spiritual dimensions of the Aṣtanāyikā where the nāyikā is not only a romantic heroine, but also a metaphor for the soul's yearning for union with the divine. A scientific lens on basic human emotions adds yet another dimension, deepening our understanding as well. It is a celebration of love, art, and the eternal search for connection, a journey that unites the ancient and the modern, the aesthetic and the spiritual, the personal and the universal.

Born from a unique intellectual collaboration between two poets and scholars originally from Odisha, this volume builds upon their acclaimed Odia work, Ashtanayika: Tatwa O Kabita. With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accessibility, the book is crafted to engage a global readership and to stand as a lasting reference.

A foreword and endorsements by distinguished scholars across disciplines make this book a compelling read for students, artists, researchers, and connoisseurs alike.

Book Details:

Author: Manorama Choudhury, Jayakrushna Choudhury

Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House

Edition: 1st

Publication Year: 2025

Pages: 366

Language: English

Size: 5.5" x 8.5"