Astha biography definition
Ashta Nayika
Eight types of heroines in Indian performing arts
"Nayika" redirects here. For the personal name, see Naika.
The Ashta-Nayika is a collective name for eight types of nayikas or heroines as classified by Bharata in his Sanskrit treatise on performing arts - Natya Shastra. The eight nayikas represent eight different states (avastha) in relationship to her hero or nayaka. As archetypal states of the romantic heroine, it has been used as theme in Indian painting, literature, sculpture as well as Indian classical dance and music.
Nayikas
As per Ashta Nayika, there are eight nayikas.
| # | Name | Sanskrit name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vasakasajja Nayika | वासकसज्जा नायिका | One dressed up for union |
| 2 | Virahotkanthita Nayika | विरहोत्कंठिता नायिका | One distressed by separation |
| 3 | Svadhinabhartruka Nayika | स्वाधीनभर्तृका नायिका | One having her husband in subjection |
| 4 | Kalahantarita Nayika | कलहांतरिता नायिका | One separated by quarrel |
| 5 | Khandita Nayika | खंडिता नायिका | One enraged with her lover |
| 6 | Vipralabdha Nayika | विप्रलब्धा नायिका | One deceived by her lover |
| 7 | Proshitabhartruka Nayika | प्रोषितभर्तृका नायिका | One with a sojourning husband |
| 8 | Abhisarika Nayika | अभिसारिका नायिका | One going to meet her lover |
History and cultural depictions
The Ashta-Nayika classification (nayika-bheda) first appears in Natya Shastra (24.210-11), a key Sanskrit treatise on Indian performing arts, authored by Bharata (dated between 2nd century BC and 2nd century AD). The classification is detailed in later works like the Dasarupaka (10th century), Sahityadarpana (14th century) and various other treatises on poetics as well as erotic Kamashastra texts like Kuttanimata (8th-9th century) based on courtesans, Panchasayaka, Anangaranga and Smaradipika. Keshavadasa's Rasikapriya (16th century) in Hindi, also elaborates on the Ashta-nayika.
Aastha Chauhan 2014 Brooks International Fellow, India
Further collaboration with Tate
2015
Blurred Lines: Art, Activism, Popular and Social Change
Aastha returned to Tate in 2015 to take part in a Learning Research Secondment hosted by Emily Pringle, Head of Learning Practice and Research. From the Secondment came a research paper, ‘Blurred Lines’, which built on the topic explored by Aastha during her Fellowship. The paper highlights some of the core issues related to funding structures available for socially engaged practices in India, with an emphasis on their limitations and pitfalls.
2019
Tate Young Peoples Programme - Tate x TENT programme ‘Build, Break or Recreate?’
Through her research, Aastha is engaged with issues around knowledge production and dissemination on the internet, and in particular how Delhi-based hip hop collectives are challenging the caste system-driven power structures of cultural and knowledge producers in India through smartphone culture.
In November 2019 Aastha contributed to the Tate x TENT programme titled ‘Build, Break or Recreate?’ This programme, led by Tate’s Young People’s Programme, also explored hierarchies of ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture, and who gets to define it; the power relationship between institutions and communities, and between gatekeepers and producers, across London and Rotterdam – two diverse European cities.
As part of the programme, Aastha gave a special presentation on her research at the welcome dinner attended by Tate staff and the range of young people, creatives, thinkers and cultural producers from London and Rotterdam who contributed to the programme.
Supported by the Brooks Programme, Aastha spent five days in London with the team and took the opportunity to reconnect and consider future collaborations with Mark Miller, Head of Programme and Practice – Learning, and Emily Pringle, who had been her Fellowship Host in 2014.
Biography
Aastha is an artist and curator, who currently teaches Cu
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Aastha Shah, a young woman who fought vitiligo and forged her way into the world of digital content creation. She symbolises both beauty with strength, a goddess in her own right.
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In an interaction with HerZindagi, Aastha Shah discussed her journey, struggles, endeavours, and her path to success. Read on to know who Aastha Shah is, what vitiligo is, and her journey of being detected with it, and overcoming it.
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An eyeful and adroit digital content creator, Aastha Shah has marked her presence in the world of social media owing to her valour, sagacity, and a spectacular backdrop.
A perfect combination of inspiration and experience, Aastha has garnered over 3.67 lakh followers across social media, becoming one of the most sensational digital content creators of the country.
Afflicted by vitiligo at a very young age, the ailment turned out to be a blessing in disguise; extending new dimensions of self-acceptance, an uplifted self-esteem, and enthralling confidence.
Through her journey, Aastha has acquired a distinctive approach towards life, making her a thoughtful and prudent individual.
Her handcrafted lifestyle encapsulates da Eight manifestations of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi Ashtalakshmi - Eight forms of Lakshmi Ashta Lakshmi (Sanskrit: अष्टलक्ष्मी, IAST: Aṣṭalakṣmī; lit. "Octet of Lakshmi") or Ashtalakshmi, is a group of the eight manifestations of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity. She presides over eight sources of wealth: spirituality, material wealth, agriculture, royalty, knowledge, courage, progeny, and victory. The Ashta Lakshmi are always depicted and worshipped as an octet in temples. Adi Lakshmi Adi Lakshmi (Primeval Lakshmi) is portrayed to be the earliest forms of Lakshmi. Adi Lakshmi is the manifestation who supports a seeker to reach their source, or Atman. She is believed to proffer dhyana, a state of absolute silence, bliss, and peace. This aspect of the goddess is responsible for the furtherance in the quest for spiritual wealth. She is depicted as four-armed, carrying a lotus and a red flag, and other two arms expressing the abhaya mudra (fearlessness pose) and the varada mudra (blessing pose). Dhana Lakshmi Dhana Lakshmi (Wealth Lakshmi) is Lakshmi in her form as the goddess of material wealth. Dhana Lakshmi is depicted with six hands, in red garments, carries the Sudarshana Chakra, shankha, kalasha (a water pitcher with mango leaves and a coconut on it) or the Amrita Kalasha (a pitcher containing Amrita – the elixir of life), a bow and arrow, a lotus, and an arm performing the abhaya mudra, with gold coins fal
Ashta Lakshmi
Ashta Lakshmi Devanagari अष्टलक्ष्मी Sanskrit transliteration aṣṭalakṣmī Affiliation Lakshmi, Sri Vaishnavism, Mahadevi Abode Vaikuntha, Manidvipa Mantra Ashtalakshmi Stotra Weapon Khanda (sword), Bow and Arrow, Trishula (Trident), Chakra (discus), Gada (mace), Ankusha (goad) and Shield Mount Lotus, Owl, Eagle, Lion, Elephant Consort Vishnu Iconography
Adi Lakshmi
Dhana Lakshmi