2017-08-05 Sat

There is always a heroine in a love story that we have read, seen and listened to; stories where the love interest of the hero (Nayak) is a heroine (Nayika). The Nayika is a female lead but yet under the shadow of the main Nayak. She is his follower in these illustrations but not his companion.

Natya-Shastra describes this female protagonist with her Nayak in eight different forms called Asta Nayika. One of the forms of this Asta Nayika is ‘Abhisarika'. This form of a Nayika is beautifully illustrated in the above-shown stamp. The painting depicted in this stamp was painted by Abanidranath Tagore.

Abhisarika is a woman in love and is going to meet her lover. Natya-Shastra represents different aspects of a woman’s nature in different ways her love, fear, anger, compassion and anger are the basic structure of this Asta Nayika.

The above painting is the perfect example of an ‘Abhisarika's ‘ fear, eagerness, love and compassion. This painting uses a classical theme which depicts the Nayikas beauty, elegant pose and gentle movements perfectly.

This commemorative stamp was issued by India Post to commemorate the birth centenary of Abanindranath Tagore by depicting his creation.