I decided to continue off of the Story I wrote last week. Watching "Sita Sings the Blues" I was able to hear the other perspectives of the events that happened in the love story between Rama and Sita. I wanted to use Hanuman as the main character since he is seen more of a side guy. Hanuman has certain characteristics that make him a noble guy so I tried to portray that in this story. I'm not trying to follow the exact storylines of Sita, Hanuman or Rama but to use their characteristics more. I know that Hanuman has no feelings towards Sita in the Ramayana but I thought it would be a fun twist to have. I used the therapy style because I personally feel like it has a better connection to the characters' mindset throughout situations. I enjoyed the video because it was very detailed so I hope I had enough detail that the readers could imagine the story as if they were watching a video. The end is a little confusing but I was only allowed to write so much. No doubt that I like the cliffhangers because I used the same method again for this story. Although I just see it as another interesting moment while reading stories.
Sita Sings the Blues
Author: Nina Paley
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008
“Sita…” Hanuman said as he let out a sigh.
“So she finally has a name?” the therapist asked.
“I didn’t want to utter her name, Doctor. I still consider saying her name with such great passion to be a sin ever since I met her years ago.” Hanuman tried to recall the past but a sudden knock at the door interrupted him.
“Doctor, you have your sister on line 3. She said it’s urgent,” asserted the receptionist.
“Do you mind if I get that? She is very-much-so expecting, as I am very-much-so expecting ‘the you're an uncle' call,” chuckled the therapist.
“I don’t mind at all. Please. I’ll just step-“
“No, no, no! Stay, this will only take a moment.”
Hanuman agreed and started to explore the room next to the seating area some more. He browsed through the bookshelf with the funny monkey bookends and came upon a book with the title When to Let Go. Curious to find out who wrote it, he flipped through the book as well as behind it because he was not able to find the author. He opened the book to the first page and read, “It starts now.” He noticed that the book had nothing else in it beside the first page. He was puzzled. He kept on rechecking his vision to see if it was just him or if it really was a blank book. He forgot for a second where he was. He walked toward the doctor's desk with the book and noticed the phone hanging off the desk and papers scattered around the floor. He panicked.
Phone hanging.Source
“Oh God, I am so sorry, ma’am! Are you okay?” Hanuman hurried to return her bag that fell with her.
“No worries. I’m quite alright,” replied the woman.
As Hanuman helped the woman stand straight, he paused when he saw who it was.
“Sita?”
The woman dusted her dress off and now wide-eyed when she heard her name and looked up to see where that familiar voice came from.
“Hanu? What, why, when-” Sita asked, rattled.
Hanuman was flustered. He struggled to look for a nearby bench to sit her down. He reached for her hand. Then, he guided her to take her seat. They held hands so tight that they were able to feel the other nervously shaking.
Couple holding hands. Source
"Hanu, what are you doing here?"
"Sita, I came here for you... Actually, that's a lie. I came here because of you."
Confused, Sita continued to stare at him looking for a further response.
"I- I- I'm sorry," he stuttered.
"I don't understand. That doesn't make sense, Hanu."
"Let me explain. I couldn't betray my best friend any longer by furthering on our secret relationship. I wanted the best for you and your future. Rama was the only answer."
"Well, you are wrong because Rama left me."
"What?! How dare he! While you’re in this condition? What didn't you call me?" blazed Hanuman.
“Calm down. It was a couple of days before you left. We were rocky anyways. You knew that.” She quickly gave him a teasing slap on the chest. “And that’s when I needed you the most and you just got up and left without saying a word to me. I had to start life over again on my own,” said Sita crossly.
Hanuman held Sita as she cried.
“I truly am sorry, my love. You know I would never want to purposely hurt you. There hasn’t been a day when I didn’t think about you, about us, about our precious memories. Sita, I even started seeing therapy because it got that bad.”
“Really? I have a close friend, almost brother, who is a therapist. I was actually headed to his office before I bumped into you.”
Hanuman tried to connect the dots and said, “Wait, is his name Dr. Valmiki?”
“Yeah, it is! Are you his patient?”
“Yes, actually. Well, as of now I don’t know because I got thrown out today,” Hanuman laughed nervously.
“I was actually trying to find him until I bumped into you. Give me a quick second to call him.”
Sita sat there, as she was confused about what Hanuman just said as he dialed the office.
“I’m sorry but the number that you’ve reached is not in service. Goodbye.”
Hanuman rechecked the phone number, called it again. The same automatic answering machine. Hanuman told Sita to wait there as he went to check out the office once again. Sita agreed and he took off. He walked up to the same steel doors. He reassured himself that everything was okay. He opened the door to see that his reassurances were false. From the once grey walls to now mesmerizing gold walls. Hanuman blinks and the place clears out. He blinked again and saw Valmiki slightly, levitated in front of him. The only difference was that he was wearing a golden cloak and had a long white beard and three lines of ash on his forehead. While Hanuman was looking lost, Valmiki handed him the same book he pulled off his shelf. This time when he opened the book and saw it was written by Hanuman. Hanuman was extremely confused at this point. Valmiki simply instructed him to open the book once again and he should understand. Hanuman blinked again and he was standing a few feet away from Sita on the bench. He looked down and noticed the book in hand.
I really enjoyed your story Benika!
ReplyDeleteI was completely drawn in the entire time, as if I couldn't stop reading because I had to know what happened next. The end definitely confused me, but maybe that is because I have not watched "Sita Sings the Blues". Your story was well thought out, and I liked the sense of mystery throughout.
Until next time!
Wow, you're a way better writer than I am. This was really good! All the twists and turns kept me wondering what was going to happen. I have read a few stories this semester that are this therapy style and I think it has become my favorite style to read. I never thought about Sita and Hanuman getting together, great imagination!
ReplyDeleteBenika, I really, really liked this story! After reading the author's note I was curious to see how you created a romantic connection between Hanuman and Sita. You did a really great job because I was actually rooting for them!
ReplyDeleteI like seeing Hanuman as the main character because he did play such a side-character role in all the versions we've read/seen so far.
Hi Benika,
ReplyDeleteLet me start off by saying that I am glad you used Hanuman! I am actually using him for my own project! I used Hanuman as one of my main characters for the same reason as you. I felt like he was more of a sidekick and he did not receive much recognition for all his efforts in retrieving Sita. I was surprised to see how you switched it up and had Hanuman be the one chasing Sita. I did not expect that at all! I was extremely taken a back! I agree with you the cliff hangers are amazing! It makes the reader imagine what could happen after. Another thing I really loved was the images you used! They were very expressive and had very strong meanings. The ending was my favorite part. Honestly after reading your story I would much rather see Sita with Hanuman rather than Rama.
Hi Benika,
ReplyDeleteI was impressed with how you were able to build a romantic connection between Hanuman and Sita. I, like many people, get a bit wrapped up in the relationship between Sita and Rama and tend to forget about Hanuman. Now I feel kind of bad! It's cute how Sita calls him Hanu :). I think it brought a new perspective to me because you used Hanuman as the main character. I honestly would have never thought to do that. All I can say is, you did an awesome job with this story and how you brought something new. When I wrote about Sita Sings The Blues, I just kept to the canon. Not to mention, you do really know how to write pretty awesome cliff hangers. I am always wanting to know what happens next. I'd have to agree with Alexis above me, I would rather see Hanu with Sita now. At least he wasn't a complete prick with her! Rama is an idiot sometimes. Keep up the good work and I can't wait to read the next story!
Hi Benika,
ReplyDeleteWow this story was so unique. I love your writing style and how you make everything open ended an mysterious. The new story line you put in place was really creative too. I'm not surprised that Rama left Sita since in the actual epic he shuns her away from he kingdom. I know you said you didn't plan to follow the story line closely but you did a good job of adding a few of the key occurrences into the story. Hanuman is such a sweet character and you did a great portrayal of him in your story. It's so sad to think that, while he was trying to save his friend's relationship by steering clear of Sita, he actually left her when she needed him most. On a different note, I am still so confused about this therapist character Dr. Valmiki. He is an intriguing character for sure but it seems as though his strange ways are helping Hanuman deal with the hurt of his past. I hope you tie up these loose ends in your next story as I am sure that you will create new ones as well. Happy writing!
I actually really liked your story, even though I was confused at the beginning and the end. Luckily, you already warned me it does get a tad confusing. I like the idea and the concept you went with and I hope that you are given the opportunity to go back and really smooth it out. It was different and I would read it if it was an actual book! I also liked how you brought in Hanuman, I really loved him in Sita Sings the Blues I thought he was honorable and brave. He took the effort to find Sita and bring her back and he asked nothing in return. I think that says a lot about the character. So, I was really excited to read that his personality was not lost in your story. You brought someone from the further in the forefront and I enjoyed that a lot! Great job! :)
ReplyDelete