Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues, Part A & B

The movie Sita Sings the Blues is a cartoon like retelling of the Ramayana from Sita, as the narrator and main focus. I had actually watched this film before in a different course, and am delighted that I was able to watch it again as a refresher. The film was portrayed through three diverse outlets. But essentially, they all contributed to gaining a more widened perspective of the Ramayana and the characters roles throughout it. I have broken up the three outlets utilized in the video to further differentiate Sita Sings the Blues, with the Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition.

Sita crying so much a river is created. Web Source: Wikimedia Commons

SITA:

Sita is shown in this film, as the main character. There are several periods where Sita is shown in water accompanied by music from the blues category. Lakshmana, Rama's brother is hardly pictured or talked about. Additionally, Sita is always singing the blues because she is upset with her situation and the outcomes of Rama being banished. Sita is always in an environment that compromises her happiness, but her relationship with Rama is more important than any dangers that may arise. Sita feels safe with Rama because of his powerful and noble persona. Sita is constantly singing about how she would do anything for Rama. When Sita is captured by Ravana, it shows Rama by himself in the woods tirelessy searching for her, in comparison to the PDE where Lakshmana and Rama both play a vital and necessary role in finding Sita and destroying Ravana. Great emphasis is placed on Hanuman's supposed said role, which was to assist Rama in retrieving Sita and destroying Ravana. Sita is tested by Ravana's advances, but never abandons her loyalty. Rama is cold towards Sita after their trials and does not look at her the same.

DAVE & NINA:

In the beginning, Dave and Nina are seen cozied in the comfort of one another in their home of San Francisco. However, Dave's job, leads him to have to make some decisions resulting in time apart from Nina. Dave accepts a 6 moth contract position, and moves to India leaving Nina behind. Dave later calls Nina to propose she come to India. Upon her arrival, Dave shows lack of affection and attributes it to respect of Indian culture. Nina and Dave begin working together, but shortly Nina leaves for New York. This causes feelings to come up, and Dave breaks up with Nina while she is away. Nina moves to New York, but wants to get back together with Dave which seems highly unlikely in their situation. Sita is Thus the modern retelling of the Ramayana is born. 

THE 3 MODERN NARRATORS:

Throughout the entire film, the three modern narrators are seen conversing back and forth with one another regarding the varying important pieces of the Ramayana. It reminded me much of a talk show, which made it super interesting and entertaining to watch. Not only do they generally discuss the Ramayana, but they also continue to debate the numerous details depicted in the Ramayana. This happens consistently as the cartoon characters play out their individual roles as told in the Ramayana. The three narrators also had a humored sense about some parts of the Ramayana, which projected their perspectives within their own culture. They looked at Dasharatha's reaction of banishing his son as dramatic. For example, one of the narrators referencing the scene of Dasharatha banishing Rama, stated Dasharatha stuck to his word as all Indian men do. I feel like the commentary really attracted readers, and shone light on some perceptions within the culture. In the movie, the narrators also address Ravana from a different light. They say the only bad thing he is guilty of, is stealing Sita. However, the PDE of the Ramayana online depicts him as the worst rakshasa of all time filled with hate. Ravana is also pictured ignoring his sister Surpanakha, because he believes her concerns are petty. However, the online Ramayana shows the exact opposite. It was interesting to see how Sita Sings the Blues is portraying characters as less intense. This could be attributed to the fact that books usually provide more extensive detail than movies, but I am not completely sure. Towards the ending of the story, the narrators discuss the monkey army's true traits, and how interpretation of different events may vary.

Bibliography: Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley