The Ramayana is a Hindu epic that tells the story of Rama, a prince from the city of Ayodhya. Sita Sings the Blues is a wonderful re-telling of the Ramayana told from the perspective of Rama's wife Sita. It isn't a happy story: Sita goes into exile with Rama, she is kidnapped and rescued and her faithfulness questioned more than once.
Nina Paley has put together a marvelous presentation of this story using several different styles of animation and music. The story is interwoven with commentary by three shadow puppets as well as scenes from Ms. Paley's own life. An integral part is the music of Annette Hanshaw, who made recordings in the 1920's and 30's. It makes for a strange combination, Indian legend and Jazz Age music, but it works delightfully.
Nina Paley has made Sita Sings the Blues available for download, or you can watch the streaming video at www.thirteen.org The artwork is beautiful, and the music is wonderful. Make yourself comfortable, it's almost an hour and a half long, and worth every minute.
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