A Million Sitas

The Ramayana is one of the two most magnificent epics of all times. It has been the life of many debates and conclusions and yet stands tall in its sacredness. Sita has been the centre of most of the plots. Standing in between the ruffle of two men. The wife of Rama, queen of Ayodhya and the mother of Luv and Kush. And to make it through all these she had courage, devotion and what not.

Inspired by this brave legend, Anita Ratnam, an Indian dancer and choreographer, brought forth the idea of a million Sitas. She combines the age-old epic with the modern day and explains that women are Sitas in one way or the other.

Depiction:

Anita Ratnam, through dance, facial expressions, voice, songs and all in her inexplicable talent portrays herself as various characters from the epic. Not the weak-selves, but the legendary characters who were determined, strong and willful, changed the path of destiny, suffered worst sorrows and yet stood strong. On the stage, she tells, jokes and performs scenes from the Ramayana but what actually entwines is the depiction of women in today's society.

Performance:

She brings Mandodhari, Ahalya, Soorpanaka, Sita and Mantara to life on the stage. The stage is decorated in lotuses, ropes, baskets, dark corners and curtains. She expresses the anger, the terrific feeling, the shyness, the strength, all through her eyes, sways and dance.

She puts on a red cloak to become Soorpanaka, the sister of Ravan. And then, she puts on a grey veil to become Ahalya who was cursed to turn into a stone. She becomes Mantara with a long-stemmed lotus and teaches, advices and pushes Kaikeyi to make Bharath the king of Ayodhya.

She expresses and explains less-known facts about Sita that she had heard from various cultures and folklores through her flawless art!