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The Strength and Resilience of Sita

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Have you ever heard of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana? I had never heard of this legendary tale until reading Sita's Ramayana. In the original Indian epic, a prince named Rama is exiled from his kingdom for 14 years. It details his experiences during his exile and his return to the throne. Sita's Ramayana is unique because it is a retelling of the original in the point of view of Rama's wife. As a reader, this graphic novel was a great stepping stone for understanding the epic while still maintaining its authenticity. I would highly recommend reading the graphic novel before reading the actual epic because it is appeals to a wider audience and is easier to digest as a whole. While researching the origins of this text, I slowly began to realize just how iconic and sacred the Ramayana is to the culture it belongs to. I feel like Sita's Ramayana is able to provide that sense of significance to the general public. Especially in America, many people are ignorant of cultures that differ from their own. I think Samhita Arni was trying to share this rich piece of literature from her culture to those who are completely unaware of it. The illustrations were done in such a unique style. I found myself staring at each page intently, taking in all the details of each brush stroke and color used. The art paired very well with the story because it paralleled the intricacy of each respective medium. In fact, the illustrator is a scroll painter, which suits the historical significance of the piece so seamlessly. On the other hand, the facial expressions of the characters are very simplistic. It reminds me of a concept that Scott McCloud addressed in his work, Understanding Comics. In the second chapter, McCloud discusses iconic abstraction, and how if something is simplified enough, it becomes an expression that can be universally understood. This directly supports the Arni's purpose of trying to shape her story to a broader range of people.

 I think the message that Sita's Ramayana is trying to send is about the strength of women. In the original epic, the character of Sita was portrayed more as a one-dimensional damsel in distress. In Arni's retelling, Sita is a strong-willed, passionate woman who fights for her place in the world. This is a message that can be applicable to many people today. It is something that all oppressed groups can relate to. Being made out to be submissive, powerless, and in need of rescuing is how women have been depicted in film, literature, and art for centuries. Sita's Ramayana breaks these norms and proves that women can still come out stronger than ever despite the hardships that they may face. This modern version of the original epic made me proud to be a woman, as well as allowing me to know that what may seem like a weakness to the world is actually a strength for many. 

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