Week 4 - Reading Feedback

Since this week I just watched "Sita Sings the Blues," I will be giving feedback specifically on the Public Domain Edition Ramayana.

I chose this edition primarily because of the ease of access and navigation. It was much more simple for me to be able to link back to the PDE Ramayana, rather than citing specific pages or editions in the print form.

The part of the reading that left the biggest impression on me was the fact that the writing styles varied so much within the text. I thought this was really interesting, because it reflected a certain amount of history and culture with these changes. For example, certain parts were told more like fables, some were strictly prose, while others felt like songs.

The only thing that I didn't necessarily understand were references to different gods or creatures. This was immediately rectified because of the links to each figure embedded in the text itself.

I did not find the reading guide particularly helpful. The stories were generally straightforward and the commentary wasn't really necessary for me, although I could see where it could be useful for other students. Additionally, I read quickly, so I was usually able to read parts A and B in about an hour to an hour and half, depending on the day.

I think eventually I would like to own a copy of the Ramayana for my own collection of classics. It would fit nicely on the ancient texts shelf! 
Rama by jeinu on DeviantArt

Week 4 Storytelling - A Sacrifice

White Horse by scutaru_cristian

Rama sat alone. The back of his intricately carved throne traced patterns into his skin as he leaned into it. He folded his legs underneath him, feeling the hardness of the frame beneath him. Years ago, when he had watched his father seated here, the throne had seemed immeasurably beautiful. Its strong gilded frame was the representation of power, duty, and honor. Now, Rama understood that a throne was never comfortable. It was a reminder of constant speculation and the weight of the necessary. Power was subjective; duty was the never ending crushing ocean of the expectations of the people; honor was for men like he used to be - for men who weren't destined to sit on a throne.

"Bring to me my horse." Rama's voice, at least, was still firm and commanding. It did not betray the tumultuous nature of his thoughts. Servants alerted themselves, rushing forward to fulfill this demand.

Rama walked out into the garden, the heat of the day causing a line of sweat to appear on his brow as he waited for the groom to arrive with his mount. The horse stepped forward, the sun gleaming off his brilliant white coat. The animal had been selected for Rama from a prestigious line, still somewhat wild, known for their prowess in war. This particular stallion was heralded for more, said to be descended from Uchaishravas himself and Rama did not doubt this. The stallion was adorned in jewels and ribbons, just as Rama had instructed. The proud beast had served the king well, but his time had come to carry out his final purpose.

With a heavy hand, Rama waved forward his own personal regiment of warriors.
"Go," he urged, "let this horse atone for my sins. They are great and I am weary of them. Go, and let me have peace once more. I pray the gods will grant me this  last boon and accept my sacrifice."

The groom let go of the stallion, which gave a loud whinny and reared on it's hind legs, kicking its forefeet into the sky. His nostrils flared, as if he could smell the freedom awaiting him. Then, he bolted.

The guard column proceeded orderly behind, their clinking armor and weaponry a stark contract to the multicolored streamers and glittering gems adorning the king's stallion.

Rama closed his eyes, letting the sounds of the procession washed over him. He hoped he had appeased the gods in this last effort. The actions of a king were never for himself. It was the people, foremost, always. In Rama's life, this often meant the ultimate in sacrifice.

Rama signed and remembered. It was almost as if he could hold her once more. He remembered how she smelled - just like a lotus from heaven.



Author's Note:
The inspiration for this story comes from the Public Domain Edition Ramayana, at the particular point where Sita's sons are grown and have learned to sing of Rama's past deeds, and Rama is still separated from them. Weighed down by his past sins, Rama decides to perform a horse sacrifice.The horse is what eventually connects him back to Sita, which is why I chose it for the image.

I thought I would reflect a bit on Rama's side of the story, wondering what his thoughts might have been. I like to think that Rama might have had some remorse for sending Sita away, and this was meant to reflect this. For this story, I did a little bit of research in the horse sacrifice, Ashvamedha.

In this practice, a horse is sent to wander the earth for a period of time before being killed. Ashvamedha can only be performed by a king and the horse is guarded while he wanders. Attacking or harming this animal is considered a direct attack against the king, which is why it is so monumental when Kusha and Lava seize Rama's sacrificial horse.

Week 4 - Reading Diary A and B (Playing catchup) - Sita Sings the Blues

For this week, I am watching "Sita Sings the Blues" 


Part A
So far I really like this method of presenting the Ramayana. It's interesting how there are a bunch of different stories combined into one, but it all flows quite well. There is the overall story of the Ramayana; then, that is overlapped by the three narrators; following this is Sita's singing of the blues; finally, all of this is the foreground for the story of Nina and her boyfriend, which somewhat parallels the Ramayana.

I like how the animation style changes with each of these differing methods of storytelling.

Ravana and Sita (from Sita Sings the Blues, but hosted on Wikipedia)

  

Part B

My suspicions about Nina's story paralleling the Ramayana definitely played out, but I especially liked how the story made a circle. In the beginning, I remember the narrators debating about when the Ramayana occurred and whether or not is was actually real, or at least whether or not it was based in factual events. In the end of the film, when Nina is reading the Ramayana and drawing, the question is raised as to whether or not the film itself was inspired by her events. In the same way, it is like how the Ramayana is supposed to written by Valmiki and that the entire story leads up to the realization of this.

The Greatest Break-Up Story Ever Told

Overall, I felt like this was such a unique approach to the Ramayana and enjoyed how multiple styles of art, music, and storytelling combined to make one larger compelling piece.