After watching the first half of Nina Paley's animated film Sita Sings the Blues, I have to say that I am very much enjoying it! The storytelling is so wonderful: I love how Paley weaves modern commentary with the Ramayana story, all the while telling her own story about her boyfriend and traveling to India. The dialogues and modern commentary are so clever and humorous at times, and I love the way that the three narrators remember and interpret the story in different ways.
Of course, we can't forget to talk about the highlight of the film: Sita and her blues! I had never heard of Annette Hanshaw before, but I love her voice so much! It has all the feels, and I love the songs that Paley chose of Hanshaw's for Sita to sing when showcasing her love for Rama. The songs are just so beautiful, and I will definitely be adding them to my playlist!
For my notes this time, I decided to take a different approach than I have done for previous readings: I took notes in reference to the songs that Sita (Annette Hanshaw) sings in the film. I feel like making the connections between the songs and the events in the story will allow for better appreciation of the kinds of emotions Sita was feeling throughout the Ramayana. Here are some of my thoughts about the first half of Sita Sings the Blues!
"Here We Are"
This song comes after Rama finds out that he is to be exiled from Ayodhya. Although he tells Sita that the forest is not suitable for her, Sita refuses to stay in Ayodhya and wishes to be with her husband wherever he goes. Sita tells him that she will be happy as long as she can be with Rama. "Here We Are" depicts how Sita and Rama will love each other and still be happy wherever they are, even if it is a dangerous forest.
"What Wouldn't I Do For That Man"
This song comes after Rama leaves to catch a golden deer (which is actually the demon Maricha in disguise) after Sita expresses her desire to have it as a pet. Sita illustrates her love for Rama and how much she would give for him, as she is so grateful to have him in her life. This is also the time when Ravana kidnaps Sita from their hut in the forest. Sita is weeping while being carried away, singing this song and hoping for Rama to come and save her.
"Daddy Won't You Please Come Home"
In this song, Sita is pleading for Rama to come and save her as she is trapped in Lanka. Hanuman comes to look for her as she is imprisoned in the palace garden. Sita sings this song, which Hanuman then conveys to Rama. Sita is longing to be reunited with Rama, and she wants Rama to "come home" so she can be with him again.
"Who's That Knockin'"
When Rama comes to Lanka with his army of monkeys, Sita is filled with joy to know that Rama has come to save her. When she hears the sounds of war between Rama and Ravana, Sita realizes that Rama is here and she is so excited to "open the door" so Rama can come and take her away from Ravana.
"Mean to Me"
This song comes after Rama kills Ravana and rescues Sita, but he does not take her back, saying that she is not pure, having lived in the house of another man. Sita is so upset by this that she decides to jump into a funeral pyre. She comes out unharmed, which signifies that she was pure. The song represents Sita's distress as Rama gives her the cold shoulder, yet she is still in love with Rama and wishes for him to take her back.
"If You Want the Rainbow"
This is the last song before the intermission. This is when Rama accepts Sita and takes her back with him to Ayodhya, as their 14 years of exile are over. The song is about how if you want things to be good (the rainbow), you need to experience some bad things (the rain). Sita had been through a lot of sorrow and pain, but now that she is reunited with Rama, she is happy again and is finally able to see "the rainbow."
Sita Sings the Blues is a gem, and the Paley's creativity is off the charts. I can't wait to watch the rest of the movie!
Bibliography:
Sita Sings the Blues, by Nina Paley, Link.
Soundtrack for Sita Sings the Blues, Link.
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