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Sita Sings The Blues Analysis

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Nina Paley`s ‘Sita Sings the Blues’ is a rewriting of the Ur-Text of the Ramayana and it was released online in 2008. The film interprets the Ramayana, a text considered sacred by many, from a rather modern point of view which despite being problematic, highlights through particular scenes the gender relations that remain even today, a pertinent issue. The film uses various strategies to point the universal experiences and questions, the ideologies behind the idealization of Rama while also playing with the notion of Sita as a prototype. One of those strategies is deconstruction which through the Shadow puppets, the Caricature and the Music points at the instability of meaning in the original text.
Deconstruction, through the frame narrative, …show more content…

(Shridharan,T.) Sita`s status as the ideal woman is deconstructed as she sings Hanshaw`s song “A woman like me” forcing viewers to ponder over her title as the ideal woman (Shridharan,T.) especially since she appears like a typical woman who is rejected by the man she loves, bears it, and who expresses her joy, heartbreak and acceptance through the songs. She assertively expresses herself through the Jazz which appears to give her a sense of identity, worth and empowerment as she self-reflects and takes her life into her own control. Paley similarly found comfort in Hanshaw`s songs. The twins sarcastic and satirizing song, titled ‘Rama`s great”, in which they ‘praise’ Rama serves to challenge the authority of Rama in a playful manner. The line “duty`s first, Sita last” may prompt the audience to wonder if Rama actually fulfilled his duty as a husband, and whether he deserved to be put on the pedestal that he is in now.
The above essay demonstrates how Paley`s ‘Sita Sings the Blues’ is a modern retelling of the canonical Ramayana. Through various deconstructive strategies, the film challenges not only the Ramayana but also the state of womanhood. Sita`s story appears universal and the alternative end reflect a modern and liberal perspective. This allows the audience to identify and sympathize with Sita and the film

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