I was ambushed!

At one in the morning with a deadline on a column to go, the last thing I should have done was click on the link that took me to Nina Paley’s film ‘Sita sings the blues’. As they say – genius is 1% inspiration and 99% not being distracted by the internet.

But having got there – I sat for one and a half hours while the most exciting bit of animation that I have seen in a long time unravelled on screen. Paley has taken the colours and the kitsch images of Indian gods and goddesses and converted them into riveting cinema.

Not only is the animation outstanding, the script is tongue-in-cheek, many layered and hilariously funny. Sita does sing the blues – literally, in Annette Hanshaws voice. The story of the Ramayan is narrated by three contemporary Indian’s who’s grasp on the tale is not very firm. And through it all weaves Nina’s own story of being dumped unexpectedly by her husband. An event that made her see the story of Sita in a brand new light.

Watch this for an edgy, engaging take on the Ramayan: