Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues- Part A

The first songs that plays is one about a man being rude. I hope this shows the Ramayana from Sita's POV. She puts up with a lot of BS from Rama.

General Notes:

• music is cool
• The art is a little trippy
• People are dancing and it's making me laugh
• Oh the art style changed. 
• Now we're in San Francisco
• Now to India
• I like the narrators telling the story- with the dates, and the confusion/many details that get mixed up. 
• This story skips some of the beginning of the Ramayana- it goes right to the banishment of Rama. 
• The current wife is letting the husband leave- she does not go with him. He looks like he's leaving her behind.
• Ravana is silly- I like the portrayal/discussion of him in this movie
• I love how they draw Rama in this. He looks like a glamorous pretty boy.
• He seems pretty useless. 
• It also shows a lot of story, instead of telling/narrating (Hanuman setting Lanka on fire). This is happening during the songs/little music videos
• All of the perspectives of Sita is interesting. Is she trying to boost her man? Why doesn't she go to him instead of waiting for him? 
• Ugh! Why is Rama so rude to her??
• He worries about her purity/honor 
• She was virtuous
• So in the version we read, Ravana tried to rape her, but was unable for some reason. So the narrators point out that he didn't act evil- but he was just unable to do what he wanted. 
• Intermission---

Things I'm thinking: 

I think they are showing parallels between the modern day couple and Sita/Rama. Both of the girls seem like they are in relationships with men that don't appreciate them. I hope in the next part of the movie, the narrators explore how Sita deserves better. 

Link to movie:   Sita Sings the Blues

Image info:
Movie Poster, STB
Nina Paley
Found on: Wikipedia