Valmiki’s Ramayana tells the story of Lord Rama, the ultimate brave hero and an ideal king and man who exhibits honesty and honor, and Devi Sita, a woman who often needs saving. But Nina Paley’s ‘Sita Sings in the Blues’ is from Sita’s point of view, showing how tough it was for her.
The old mythological story Ramayana, which has been told and retold through generations orally and in written form and evolved on stages and screens as television shows, films, animation, cartoons, etc.
It has only been showing the man’s point of view, in which Lord Rama is the hero and Devi Sita is often in trouble. But Nina’s movie tells the story differently. It focuses on her struggles and perspective, and this feels like seeing an old tale in a new way.
How is it different from the old Ramayana tale?
The movie starts with playing a song by Billie Holiday, ‘Moanin’s Low’. The song gets stuck at the line, ‘He’s the kind of man who needs a kind of woman like me, a kind of woman like me…’. The stuck lines make it feel modern and connected to the female audience.
‘Sita sings the blues’: Modern Twist on an Ancient Tale
It mixed old stories with new ideas. This movie is unapologetic and unabashedly original in its telling of a tale of truth, justice, and a woman’s cry for equal treatment in society.
While in the Ramayana, Devi Sita, as a dutiful wife. She accompanies her husband, Lord Rama, into a fourteen-year-long exile in the forest, only for Ravana to kidnap her. She is still faithful to her husband, but she has to face many tests to prove her loyalty and purity.
Nina’s Story Parallel to Devi Sita’s Struggles
In this plot, Nina, the lead character, who is an artist now finds her life and her struggle parallel to the life of Devi Janaki. Her husband who went to India on a work project, decides to break up their marriage and dump her via email.
Cultural Blend: Indonesian puppets and Ramayana
In the animated movie, Nina uses three funny Indonesian shadow puppets to tell the story. It shows that people love the Ramayana not only in India but also in places like Indonesia. The three shadow puppets narrate both the ancient tragedy and modern comedy in an animated version of the epic.
Why is the movie ‘Sita sings the blues’ important?
The film makes us think about how women are treated. It reminds us that everyone deserves fair treatment, regardless of who they are. Nina’s film is a layered piece of art, along with the music, even with stunning visuals. Her character inspires an attitude of questioning the way of celebrating a woman’s sacrifice, and to do so.
The filmmaker uses a cast that includes flying monkeys (representing the Vanar Sena), evil monsters, God, goddesses, warriors, sages. She added winged eyeballs to depict how society constantly judges a woman for their decisions and actions through a critical lens.
‘Sita Sings the Blues’ controversies and receptions
Some people didn’t like the movie’s unfavorable portrayal of Lord Rama. But most critics praised it, saying it was a fresh take on an old story highlighting the true struggles. Devi Sita faced trouble despite being a Rajakumari of Janak and Maharani of Ayodhya, which was never discussed like this, in the movie before.
Why does this movie matter today?
Nina’s film helps us to rethink old stories and question how women are treated. It makes us think about important issues like masculinity and women’s rights are addressed in today’s world.
If you haven’t watched the movie trailer yet, below is the trailer of the animated movie ‘Sita sings the Blues’:
Devi Sita’s Trails: Agni Pariksha and Unfair Demands
With the beautiful portrayal of Agni Pariksha by Devi Sita and showing her purity. She was still kicked out of the palace. Devi Sita was again asked to prove herself through a second test, either Agni Pariksha or Jal Pariksha. Lord Rama was ready to accept Lava Kusha as the throne princes but not accepting Devi Sita.
Nina questioned and talked about the Unjust Fate of Devi Sita
Nina questioned why society only asks women to undergo Agni Pariksha and how many times they must prove their purity and loyalty.
In the movie, Nina highlights that despite Devi Sita’s unwavering devotion to Lord Rama, she was still considered impure and was sent to forest during her pregnancy. No one in the prestigious kingdom like Ayodhya helped Devi Sita except Sage Valmiki.
‘Sita sings the blues’ isn’t just an animated movie. It’s a way to start important conversations. It also helps us see things from a different perspective and understand why treating everyone equally matters.
Mallika Sadhu is a journalist committed to revealing the raw, unfiltered truth. Mallika's work is grounded in a dedication to transparency and integrity, aiming to present clear and impactful stories that matter. Through comprehensive reporting and honest storytelling, she strives to contribute to provide narratives that genuinely inform and engage. When not dwelling in the world of journalism, she is immersed in the colors of her canvas and pages of her journal.
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