This full-length animated film by Nina Paley was honestly
stunning. Having no idea what to expect going into this viewing experience, I
was impressed to say the least. I had anticipated and prepared to watch it in two
parts as suggested on the assignment overview page with the embedded link, but
I was sucked in and ended up watching it all the way through in one sitting. I even
paused it a few times when I stopped to laugh at its more comical moments or to
simply pick my chin up off the floor because, frankly, I was floored by its
narrative and visual brilliance.
I particularly liked how the ancient story was brought into
the 21st century through both the cartoon couple Nina and Dave and
the modern Indian storytellers who spent the length of the film recounting and
debating the details of the myth. What this did for me was put into perspective
the historical significance of the Ramayana. When the three modern Indian
characters (depicted quite paradoxically in a style that seems inspired by antiquated
art) start to debate about whether the Ramayana was based off of real events, with
the woman character commenting that it is as “real” as the Bible made me
realize how important this story must be culturally and spiritually to many
people. I also love how the producer in a sense represented the oral tradition
that the (many versions) of the Ramayana by the fact that these three modern Indian
characters “created” the story in a communal way, with their commentary as a
sort of unique “reading guide” if you will.
As they talk amongst themselves of the story, the scenes
play out for the person watching. I got the sense that the “old fashioned”
looking illustrations were the “cut and dry” story, whereas the cartoonish
bubble characters were as if it was written for today’s audience. Or, since
they look a little bit like paper dolls (the kind with push pins for joints) I
thought it could be like a digital version of how this story might have been
told through puppets in the past. This is a sort of in-depth analysis of
everything but the story, but more than just the story itself I was super
intrigued by what message Nina Paley was sending. It seemed to me a commentary on
oral tradition first and foremost. It also seemed that by highlighting certain
parts that were “controversial” (between the modern-ancient Indian characters)
she emphasized how a reader influenced by a modern environment socially and
spiritually casts new interpretations on the morals and ethics of the famous
tale. It makes it seem as though even I felt like I was constantly trying to read
between the lines, and I loved it.
Bibliography:
Author: Nina Paley
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008
(Image Source: Wikipedia)
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