nayikan.
/ˈnʌɪ(j)iːkə/, U.S. /ˈnaɪˌ(j)ikə/ South Asian. Dance.
In the performing arts (esp. dance) of India: a lead female role; spec. a female lover or mistress, a romantic heroine in drama. Cf. nayaka n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > part or character > [noun] > principal character
protagonist1671
heroine1817
lead1831
shero1836
title role1857
title part1866
nayika1873
leading-business1880
beau rôle1887
name part1894
nayaka1933
hero1983
1873 J. Garrett Suppl. Classical Dict. India 93 Nayika, the heroine of a drama.
1948 G. Ventkatachalam Dance in India Gloss. 132 Nayika, heroine.
1965 M. Sarabhai (title) The eight nayikas; heroines of the classical dance of India.
1992 Indian Express 9 Aug. (Sunday Mag.) 5/1 Watching the nayika eternally pining for her lover cannot energise the audience.
2001 New Straits Times (Malaysia) (Nexis) 15 June 6 When she is finally convinced of his love for her, the nayika is both shy..and joyous.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1873