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 'Sita' by Navaneetham Cultural Trust - Padma Jayaraj e-mail: padmajayaraj@gmail.com May 8, 2025 Sita, a 70-minute physical theatre presented by Navaneetham Cultural Trust on 21st April in Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Thrissur, was a rare event. Belraj Soni, the director of Sita, is a renowned Kalaripayattu artist who has devoted his entire life for promoting Indian classical and folk arts. Drawing largely from 'Sita, Warrior from Mithila' by Amish Tripathi, it is a fusion of Kalaripayattu (Kerala's martial art form), Indian classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Sattriya and Kathakali. The story of Sita traverses back in time to the days when the sub-continent was largely tribal, although kingdoms were just emerging. The queen of Mithila, Sunaina, childless and yearning, adopts a baby sheltered by a vulture between his wings. The child born of earth was named Sita. She grows up into a spirited girl well versed in Shastras and arts of war, under her Guru, Jatayu. The fame of Mithila reaches Ravana, the ruler of Lanka, who sends his adopted daughter Samichi as a spy. She presents herself as the girl from the slums who rescues Sita on one occasion, gaining her trust and confidence. As years pass, Sita appoints her trusted friend as the commander of her army.  The wedding of Sita to Rama ensues after breaking the bow Thrayambaka. During the wedding festivities, Ravana returns and confronts Sita. Sensing threat to her, Rama intervenes from a distance breaking the code of Dharma Yudha to save her. Sita disillusioned chooses exile. The couple live in a forest retreat.  Meanwhile, Shurpanaka, Ravana's sister, lovelorn is struck by the handsome Rama. She tries to attract Rama as a beautiful girl. Enraged, Sita wounds her. Hurt and humiliated, she seeks help of her brother for revenge. The first victim of Ravana's rage was Jatayu. Sita sorrowful of the demise of her Guru, performs his last rites. As Ravana's forces attack, Samichi is torn between her deep love for Sita and loyalty towards Ravana. In the ensuing battle, she however sides with Ravana, and Sita feels betrayed. Ravana abducts Sita and takes her to Lanka.  In Lanka, a prisoner of grief, Sita is engulfed in fury. And setting fire to Lanka, she defeats Ravana, stripping him of weapons and pride. And when Sita is about to strike the final blow, Samichi intervenes. Shocked and feeling betrayed, Sita turns her spear on the one and only person she had trusted the most. As Lanka burns, Sita returns, homeward bound. A harmonious blending of martial arts of Kerala, the classical drama Kathakali, Gujarati Raas and other folk and classical dances of India added different shades. The musical accompaniment was unique, especially the mizhavu, with its thunderous resoundings, when Ravana danced. Mizhavu, the chief accompaniment to Kathakali in temple performances, added a unique quality to the stage performance. Sita, the woman, warrior, protector, epitome of strength walks onward from the epic times to the present and beyond. Her journey needs to go on and on. The performance aims to honour her strength and resilience.  Padma Jayaraj is a freelance writer on the arts. |
