Abstract:
We review the observational characteristics of classical and recurrent novae
in the optical region, in the context of observational programmes carried out using
telescopes at the Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO) and the Indian Astronomical Observatory
(IAO) of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. The article discusses the di erent
classes of novae, based on either their outburst light curve properties, or their spectral
development. Also provided is a brief discussion on the quiescence properties of
novae.
