Dressed in Love-Abhisarika of Ashta-Nayika series captured through the lens of Shailja Narita

In every age and every century, the Abhisarika manifests in vivid forms; what remains constant is her desire to meet her lover despite all odds. Abhisarika was first introduced by Bharata in his Sanskrit treatise on performing arts – Natya Shastra while introducing the concept of Ashta-Nayika. The eight Nayikas (heroines) represent eight states or emotions concerning her Nayaka.

The renowned photographer, Shailja Narita S, known for capturing the artistic appeal in her frames, is halfway through the works of the Ashta- Nayika series. Believer in the internal strength of a woman, Shailja, on the occasion of Janmashtmi, released Abhisarika, one of the eight Nayika from her series. “No better day to unveil Abhisarika-the most magnificent and relatable Nayika across eras-from the past immemorial to the present day. The Nayika finds an equal appeal in present times as well.  Abhisarika, as we know, is found in the traditional repertoire of Vaishnava Padavali that celebrates the relationship between Radha and Krishna.”   

Abhisarika is imbibed with a sense of adventure and daring central to her being. She finds an enduring presence in art and dance in our Indian culture and remains relatable in the real world. Her innate yearning for love remains the same. Talking about her Abhisarika, Shailja smiled and shared, “Vineeta Jerath was an instant choice. I have been seeing her for a long time- dressed in sarees, traditional jewellery and a Bindi. She carries poise with a shy demeanour and, above all, a devotee of Krishna with a peacock feather tattoo on her forearm. She fits my frame of imagination of Abhisarika perfectly. For a performer, photographer, choreographer and storyteller, she is perhaps the most thrilling of all Ashtanayika.”

Vineeta Jerath, co-founder editor of Suburb speaking about her character of Abhisarika, said, “For me, there could be no greater Abhisarika than Radha. In reference to Indian literature, Geeta Govinda (12^th century), composed by Jayadeva, the lyrical poem, was perhaps the first text that mentions Radha’s presence in Krishna’s life stories. In the Vaishnava poet Banamali’s compositions, Radha dons the roles of the various Nayikas while with her Nayaka is the lord Krishna, the blue God. Getting as an opportunity to play the Nayika for an exceptionally talented photographer, Shailja. Her clicks are a work of art; each picture depicts a story. As a storyteller, she also understands the nuances of finer points and effects of the powerful narration of her audience.”

“Krishna happens! I believe. He enters your life of His free will; it happened almost two decades back for me. Hence, my belief in His divine presence in life has given me a sense of surrender and faith in the larger picture of life, so portraying Abhsarika Nayika did not require much emoting. The power of love and the grit to stand for what you believe in life have always been strong in me. Radha- Krishna is the epitome of love for me, a relation that cannot be fitted into a box of societal brackets. It was a love saga, a beautiful love story full of wonderful moments associated with those yearning desires, the soul connection that kept them united in another realm till eternity. The character of Radha or her emotions appeal – she is a metaphor for devotion and courage and is bold when expressing Her love. She cares not for what people would say, and the intense seeking in her liberates her from fear. The depiction and the story can have many connotations and stay relevant today because love is the strongest emotion to keep people together, not the nomenclature of their relation.”

“I have tried to capture various moods of Abhisarika- her yearning to meet her love, anxiety, joy, and faith that He is in Her; the two are not separate. Radha, as I understand, was a part of Krishna. She was no different than Him, always a part of His. Referring to a fable where Radha asks Krishna why we cannot get married, Krishna responds, “the marriage is between two individuals, and we are one.” That love unites the souls, says Shailja describing her Abhisarika, Radha.

All pictures are credited to Shailja Narita S, as her property, all rights reserved.