Doordarshan don't darshan
I've spent the last several weeks watching the Ramanand Sagar / Doordarshan Ramayan TV series on DVD (thanks, Sendhil!). Not all 78 hours - I skipped a few volumes. But I learned plenty:*Rama's portrayal is convincingly righteous, even to a crankypants like me
*Sita really does cry constantly through the second half of the series (about 36 hours)
*The show is a study in the slowest, most drawn-out "action" I've ever seen
*You can never have too many zoom-ins
Suspiciously, the episode I most wanted to see was missing from the set. That's right, MISSING. The DVD code suddenly got gunged up right before the part where Sita should have gone through fire. No matter how many times I cleaned and reinserted the disc, it was impossible to play. Since that's the most controversial scene in the series, I wouldn't be surprised if it were rendered intentionally unplayable on the DVD. In spite of the crucial scene missing, I did get to see Rama defend his plan to put Sita through fire, using the Tulsi Das Rationalization. See, Rama knew Sita was going to be abducted, so before Ravana even showed up he asked Agni, the fire god, to protect Sita. So Sita enters Agni's protection (ie, burns up), leaving behind a "shadow Sita." It's the shadow that gets abducted, imprisoned, etc. (and cries for 36 hours). Once Rama rescues her, he needs to replace the "shadow" Sita with the real Sita - again by putting her through fire. See? Only the best intentions.
Naturally I turned to youtube to search for the missing scene. Instead I found something better: scenes from the sequel, "Luv Kush," aka the Uttara Kanda. I had no idea Doordarshan ever produced that! The Uttara Kanda is the highly controversial last book of the Ramayana, missing from Tulsi Das's commentaries and most mainstream versions, like the original Ramayan series. It's the part where Rama banishes Sita and she eventually returns to Mother Earth. It's what half my movie is based on. And here it is, Doordarshan style:
There are no subtitles, but I assume Valmiki is presenting the much-maligned Sita to Rama, and defending her virtues. Rama, I assume, says, "I'll take the boys, but Sita's gonna have to prove her purity again." Then Sita drops the big one, probably the equivalent of: "If I have always been true to Rama, may Mother Earth take me back into her womb." Which happens:
If anyone wants to leave translations of the Hindi in the comments, I'd be much edified.
Comments:
Clip 2. Trans.
(Too much sad, draggy music. One stringed instrument stretched to unbelievable limits. Everyone bowing. Sita weeping. Beard of old man growing longer.)
Sita: I do not think of any other man, other than Shree Raghunath.
If this is true, then (today) Bhagwati Prithvi Devi, give me "place" (shelter) in your lap.
If I - through mind, promise and through deed - only worship Shree Ram, then (today) Bhagwati Prithvi Devi, give me "place" (shelter) in your lap.
Other than Bhagwan Sree Ram, I do know any other man.
If what is say is true, then Bhagwati Prithvi Devi, this very moment, give me "place" (shelter) in your lap.
(Lightening strikes. Earth splits. Lava like golden stuff pours here and there. Luv and Kush run helter skelter. Hanuman looks puzzled. One stern looking Prithvi Devi comes out. Sita weeps again.)
Sita: Mother Earth, I am tired of the various trials on earth. Take me with you now. Take me with you, mother.
A woman is not respected here, mother. Take me away from here.
Mother Earth: Come, my daughter. A mother's womb/ lap is always "open" for her daughter. Come.
(Sita steps over to Mother Earth.)
Mother Earth: Do not worry, daughter. We will go to our world.
Luv and Kush: No. Mother (Mother!), where you going, leaving us here?
Sita: I am leaving you both with your father. For (can't make out the word here), father is the greatest god. And to serve (your) father, is the greatest dharma. Serve him.
Various people: Forgive us mother. We have sinned. Forgive us.
Sita: May God keep you all happy always.
I request that the King, to forget their sins, and to love all subjects like (you love) Luv-Kush.
All you Gurus, mothers, my respectful father, please accept my "pranaam".
Raghunandan, if I am born again, then, may I have you as my husband in all of them. But never in any birth, don't bring forth such a situation, Lord. Please accept my salutations at your respectful feet.
Ram: No, Sita. You cannot leave me.
Sita: My time is over. Lord, do not stop me in (my) way.
Mother Earth: Daughter, let's go from here. This world does not deserve you.
(Both descend into the Earth)
Ram: I will not let you go.
(Thunderbolt and lightning. Very very frightening.)
Ram: Sita. Sita. Sita (Etc.)
(Everybody weeps.)
Some interesting reading: http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/s_es/s_es_kishw_sitaram_frameset.htm
Sita Swayamvar, if you don't already have a copy: http://bwtorrents.com/showthread.php?t=87794
Wow you really CAN'T have too many zoom shots!
I love the kids' "emoting" too. They're trying so hard, poor things.
hey neha these luv videos r mine
well i like ur creativity
keep it up
u translated it very well
in english
i appreciate
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