षोडश नायिका: The Sixteen Heroines (An Old and Rare Book)

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As a D.Litt scholar is the Hindi Dept. of the University of Allahabad I had made an Extensive and through study of the subject of Nayaka – Nayika – Bheda. I got the degree in 1952, but my work was published under the title studies in Nayaka- Nayika- Bhedain 1967. As I Had ten read thousands of stanzas illustrating different types of the Heroine, a desire to compose a few illustrations myself was perhaps nebulous in my subconscious at that very time. Now that I have a lot of leisure, the latent desire automatically gained momentum and manifested itself, and so these rhymes were composed by me quite effortlessly while talking rest.

Bharata, the author of natyasastra, the oldest available, treatise on dramaturgy, had mentioned eight types of the heroine, rather eight states or situations where in a heroine may be peced in relation to the hero. I had expanded this classification in to a sixteen fold one in my thesis. These sixteen types of the heroine have been illustrated here by me in verses, as also b my dear friend Dr. Shayam Bihari Agrawal through artistic sketches. I Feel highly indepted to Dr. Agrawal, who is a senior Lecture in the fine Arts Dept. of the University of Allahabad, for his invaluable contribution.

A few more classification and types thereunder have been added here to give the theme a finished look. The English rendering of Hindi verseshas been revised by my esteemed colleague O.P Govil, to Whom I am Sincerely grateful.

If this spontaneously created small composition generates some interest in lovers of art poetry in general and in connoisseurs of dramaturgy and poetics in particular, I shall feel amply rewarded.