Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues Part A
This version of the Ramayana is told through several iterations of media and three narrators, in tandem with the story of a couple named Nina and Dave.
It begins with a scene of the gods in the cosmos and Lakshmi rising from the sea
I liked this part, I wouldn't be able to identify all of the gods, but I enjoyed it still.
Rama and Sita are exiled
Rama is sent away by Kaikeyi, this part began well after the beginning of the Ramayana by R. K. Narayan- at first I thought that it might be a little bit confusing without the backstory, but it wasn’t and I don't think it would be if I hadn't already read the Ramayana. It also served as a reminder to me for the rest of Part A that there are multiple ways to tell the Story of the Ramayana, and that in India it would be more common to hear more folkloric narratives that come from oral tradition, as I assume the narrators have, as opposed to the singular narrative that I read by Narayan.
Sita is stolen away by Ravana
I liked how they talked about how Ravana was an otherwise standup guy if you don't consider his kidnapping of Sita.
Hanuman declares his loyalty to Rama
This part skipped over a lot of the backstory from Rama and Hanuman and Rama’s journey to find Sita, at this point I also was beginning to really notice the absence of Lakshmana.
Hanuman finds Sita and burns down Lanka
There was a lot of discussion about why did Sita not go back with Hanuman, and her wanting Rama to come rescue her out of vanity, but when I read the Ramayana I didn't question it at all, I just assumed it wasn't an option. I think it is an interesting avenue of thought towards this part of the story
Rama rescues Sita/Kills Ravana
This was a lot shorter than the passage from Narayan, I liked it better. Sometimes the singing musical numbers lost me a bit, it can be hard for me to stay plugged into musicals in general.
Rama accuses Sita
I don't like this part in the Ramayana and I don't like this part in Sita Sings the Blues, I think it is really sad that Sita is overjoyed to see her husband and he accuses her of being promiscuous.
Sita and Rama are reunited- no rainbows without rain.
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