Introduction
The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic that describes the interactions of many key characters in mythology. Ramayana is an epic narrative from Hinduism that reveals the traditional ideas of the time about courage and duty (The Ramayana: A South Asian Myth and Text, n. d.). At the same time, this work is conservative and cannot fully reflect the realities of modern society. Having studied this version of the Ramayana, I can say that Sita Sings the Blues was created and adapted for modern interpretation. Thus, the characters of both works have some crucial differences in their actions. To better understand these differences, the works can be analyzed using the characters Rama, Sita, and Ravana as examples.
Character Analysis: Actions in the Standard Version and Sita Sings the Blues
The traditional version of Ramayana describes Rama as a virtue who acts selflessly and always strives to help people. At the same time, life circumstances oblige him to journey to free Sita who is his wife and was imprisoned by the demon Ravana (Mahakavya, 2023). The wife is also a positive character who helps her husband in everything. At the same time, Ravana always acts in his own favor, making life difficult for the main characters of the epic.
In a modern interpretation, the general tone of the narrative has changed, giving more details to the characters’ characters and revealing them in many ways. Sita has become more independent and responsible, which gives her the opportunity to make important decisions. At the same time, Ravana was given a more philosophical character, as he could reflect on many topics, creating essential dialogues.
Thus, in the adaptation, the characters of the epic become more profound and thoughtful and have different feelings. The change in characters hurt the portrayal of gender roles in Ramayana as Sita became more independent and more able to make decisions. Thus, gender roles began to be distributed more evenly without an apparent traditional fixation, as in the original work.
The Main Message of the Ramayana
I understand the central message of the Ramayana as the importance of duty, which is an essential attribute of the Rama character. The central narrative in the epic revolves around the concept of dharma – the sense of duty and the traditional roles of man and woman. In this regard, Sita Sings the Blues violates the gender norms of the society of the time as it empowers women.
Disruption of Gender Norms in Sita Sings the Blues
The feminist version of Ramayana reflects the behavior of real people and their characters more. In my opinion, this can give the epic a more modern character that is in line with new gender trends. The modern interpretation may have a more appropriate impact on the minds of the people, which will be reflected in the fact that women will not be subjected to the traditional pressure of gender roles. This highlights the fact that human characteristics tend to change over time.
Relevance of the Ramayana and Sita Sings the Blues in Contemporary Life
Sita Sings the Blues can be applied to the modern world as it can serve to view gender roles through a modern lens. Modern values are constantly changing and give more opportunities to women, in connection with which the modern feminist version of the Ramayana is more relevant. When comparing the characters from both versions, one can see the achievement of the struggle for gender equality. As modern women continue to fight for greater rights, Sita Sings the Blues plays a vital role in society. Feminine concepts of the sacred are shaping religious thinking by offering alternative perspectives on how society might work. Different conceptions of femininity and gender roles can change perceptions of religious norms over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the modern interpretation of the Ramayana is essential to society as it can influence how women perceive gender roles. Characters from different versions of the epic can bring critical social aspects to people’s lives, which will make them more comfortable in modern conditions. Displaying responsibility, decision-making, and other aspects that traditionally only concerned men can now be inherent in women.
References
Mahakavya. (2023). Read Ramayan in English. Web.
The Ramayana: A South Asian Myth and Text [PowerPoint slides]. (n. d.). Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University.