Sita Sings the Blues

Sita Sings the Blues is based on the story of the Hindu epic, Rayamana, and also incorporates a modern parallel to the director, Nina Paley's own life.  This film focuses on Prince Rama, who was banished to the forest for fourteen years by Kaikeyi, his father's favorite wife.  Rama's wife, Sita insisted that she follow her husband into the forest, for she could not possibly live without him.  Sita is eventually kidnapped by Ravana, the king of Lanka.  Although Ravana wished to marry Sita, she always remained faithful to her husband, Rama.  Sita hoped and prayed that Rama would return and rescue her.  Eventually her husband did come back for her, however, he doubted her purity.  Rama accepted Sita back after she proved her purity to Rama in a "trial by fire."  Rama, yet again questions Sita's loyalty, because he does not know how one can consider a person who had been in another man's bed "pure."  Rama ends up banishing his now pregnant wife into the forest.  Sita ends up giving birth to two sons who are indeed Rama's, and not the king, Ravana's children.  The film ends with Sita asking for Mother Earth to take her back into her womb if indeed she had never thought of another man, and was pure in her body and soul.  Mother Earth took Sita into her womb, which ultimately proved to Rama that his wife was faithful to him all along.

I believe that this film exhibits heroic mythology as well as social order/values mythology.  Rama, is depicted as the ideal man; he is a great son, husband, great warrior, etc.  He definitely possesses the qualities of a hero, and he proves to be heroic when he rescues his wife from the demon king, Ravana.  On the other side of the spectrum, I can also see how Sita can be considered a hero in this film.  Although, her fate may seem tragic, I believe that her everlasting loyalty to her husband proves that she is a real hero as well.  She proved her devotion and unconditional love to her husband.  She raised her two sons and taught them to praise their father, Rama, even though he had banished her.  Social order and values are greatly seen throughout the film, mainly emphasizing the significance of loyalty and faithfulness.  An example of this can be seen in the beginning of the film when Rama is ordered to leave for the forest.  Rama does not question this order, rather, he remains obedient and does as he is told.  I especially believe that this key value applies to women.  It is highly expected that a woman will remain pure and will dedicate herself to her man.  The main character who exemplifies being loyal is Sita.  Throughout the duration of the film, Sita proves how great of a wife she is to Rama.  Her love and faithfulness is unchanging, although Rama is untrusting and suspicious of her.  She ultimately makes an impacting sacrifice, which once and for all shows her devotion to her husband.  I believe the very end is where these two themes come together, in that, Sita proves that she is a hero by making that sacrifice for her husband, confirming her lifelong loyalty and dedication.