The timeless quality of epics has a remarkable way of speaking to successive generations, finding fresh relevance with each retelling. In a recent converging of the contemporary and the ancient, the Kutty Kutchery series, organized by Rasoham and Arangam Trust, showcased ‘A Million Sitas’ at the Narthaki studio. Within this intimate setting, the expanse of the verdant lawn was ingeniously transformed into a stage, with the natural backdrop serving as passageways for entry and exit, artfully creating a metaphor for varied scenes and shifting locales.
The solo performance by Anita Ratnam, a virtuoso in her art, demonstrated a lifetime of experience as she manifested her multiple life roles through the prism of the epic woman, Sita. The performance penetrated the hearts of those who watched, including a woman in the audience who carried the name Sita herself. Ratnam filled the legendary character with profound relatability and timeless sorrow – a vessel of collective female memory.
Uma Satyanarayana, joining as the vibrant counterpart representing the youth and vigor of womanhood, complemented the rhythm set forth by Anita with her acting and melodious singing. As the two women interacted on stage, they bridged not only their individual understandings of womanhood but also the generational gap between them, redefining the narrative of Sita.
What captured the audience in the extended version of ‘A Million Sitas’ performed at the Sri Krishna Gana Sabha was the genuine articulation devoid of any “cultivated accent.” The performers’ seamless blend into their roles and their warm camaraderie captivated the audience beyond mere watchfulness.
This adaptation of Sita’s life journey – from child bride to princess, from sage’s wife to captive, and finally, to a deserted single mother – symbolized an evolving narrative. The two artistes redefined the persona of Sita for modern times, with Uma Satyanarayana and Anita Ratnam embodying the character’s multifaceted experiences with subtlety and depth.
In a theatrical interweaving, the stage emblematically represented both the inner and outer domains of human experience, a dichotomy played out through the characters’ journey of internalizing emotions and expressing them outwardly.
This performance stretched the boundaries of participatory theatre without the conventional direct dialogue with the audience. Instead, it fostered a silent interaction teeming with unvoiced queries, comments, and dialogues emanating from the audience, creating a subtle but palpable exchange.
Anita Ratnam’s ability to incorporate a myriad of cultural influences into her portrayals, from costume to narrative form, is born from extensive experience and keen global sensibility. Her use of diverse props and collectibles underscored the performance’s inclusive appeal, creating an identifiable connection for audiences across the globe.
Among the mesmerizing array of props were a long-stemmed lotus serving multiple symbolic purposes, and a Chettinad basket that ingeniously became the hunchback of the character Mantara. Notably, ten baskets containing mangoes drew boundaries that symbolized cities and the epic quest to reach Lanka, while an interpretation of ten pairs of eyes alluded to the ten-headed Ravana, echoing a mythological resonance with Indra and his curse by Ahalya.
Through their mesmerizing enactment, Anita and Uma retold a well-known saga in countless ways, their performances speaking to and for a million Sitas across cultures and eras. The generational synchrony between the two women, bound by the timeless threads of classical dance and music, wove a palpable tapestry of womanhood’s known sufferings, reflecting the living experiences of numerous single mothers in the likeness of Sita. The stark message highlighted the aversion to naming daughters Sita—mothers wishing to shield them from parallel destinies of hardship was poignant, as evidenced by the author’s recollection of her own birth name being altered from Sita to Hemalatha.
Adding to the theatrical magic was the lighting design by Victor Paul, which brought a poetic ambiance to the performance, while the synergy of live and recorded music offered an enriching auditory experience.
Personal growth as an artist involves recognizing and playing to one’s strengths, and this performance was a testament to continued evolution. The evening’s presentation marked not only the retelling of an immortal epic but also the continued progression of artists like Anita Ratnam who use their platform to engage, challenge, and inspire across diverse audiences and time.
