Ashtanayika: - A Book That Gives Twice

Aṣṭanāyikā: – A Book That Gives Twice!
~Support the Visually Challenged and become a Patron of Bharat’s Heritage.

Dear Friends,

I am delighted to share some exciting news. A generous anonymous donor has pledged to match all donations to Vision-Aid for the next 100 copies of Aṣṭanāyikā: The Romantic Heroines from Nāṭyaśāstra to Modernity procured in the United States.

Vision-Aid is a nonprofit organization that enables, educates, and empowers individuals with incurable visual challenges to live productive lives with independence and have access to equal opportunities.

My husband and I have witnessed their tremendous impact first-hand through the Vision-Aid Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) Resource Center in Bhubaneswar, which we humbly support. We were also honored to serve as keynote speakers for their 2025 Annual Fundraising Event.

The publication of Aṣṭanāyikā has given me yet another opportunity to help support a very meaningful cause.

This book offers not only a window into the literary brilliance of ancient Bharat but also into a deeper part of ourselves. More than two millennia ago, Bharata Muni established a gold standard for excellence in art, drama, poetry, music, sculpture, and painting. His seminal treatise inspired the following generations to shape India’s culture and identity.

The enduring archetypes of the Aṣṭanāyikā provide glimpses of the soul’s journey in love, separation, and reunion remains a universal human story reflected across artistic traditions in modern India and beyond.

You may contribute directly to Vision-Aid in any amount and copy me at manoramac@hotmail.com for your author-signed copy ($43 value) with a personal message. While several much-needed services are listed at Visionaid.org, I am highlighting a few for your consideration.

$30: Low-vision screening and optical assistive devices for a patient with low vision to maximize their usable vision (do consider supporting more than one patient).
$80: Tactile Braille STEM kit for blind students (Developed by IIT Delhi & RFL Inc.)
$100: Portable digital electronic magnifier for low-vision students
$250: Will educate a blind or low vision person with a Certificate course in basic Introduction to computers, making them digitally literate.
$300: AI Smart Vision Glasses that help the totally blind to read in 50 local languages and to navigate their way around.

Vision-Aid will provide a fully tax-deductible receipt before year-end. The anonymous donor will match your contribution when I confirm the donation amount.

Let your generosity create support for the visually impaired and promote the shared heritage of Indian art, culture, and literature among global readers.

This book also makes a thoughtful gift for those who cherish culture, aesthetics, and human emotion.

Support by Thanksgiving and unwrap your signed copy before the holidays.

With gratitude,
Manorama Choudhury

P.S. Please enjoy this video recorded during our Keynote: