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Hey guys...I started watching Siya ke Ram regularly from vanvas episodes. Recently I started watching the earlier episodes on hotstar. I always thought that TV series never did justice with the characters of Urmila Mandavi and Shrutkirti. But SKR, they impress you beyond measure in this respect. In fact watching the episodes made me very emotional. Seeing the smiles of four sisters and realising how those smiles were never the same after marriage. They were so happy with the mere thought that they would be always together and when one reflects on it it's like they were tricked by destiny. Nonetheless these four princess of Mithila show amazing courage in their lives. If one observes carefully there can be no Ramayan without them. I so wanted to write about them...just to express my thoughts. Hope you guys like it.
Sita
I remember watching that episode where Ram lakshman Sita build hut near river. They had shown it in quite detail. The moment I saw her picking a big log as a part of construction work something pricked me. The princess of Mithila, married to the greatest prince , of the biggest kingdom. Nothing could me more certain than a life of bliss and comfort at the time of marriage. Ironically she lived the most hard and tough life in the epic. Quoting her decision to follow Ram to exile people say she made a great sacrifice. However I always saw it differently. Sita's character does teach us sacrifice but not now. Sacrifice is when you let go of something dear to you. Her character teaches us something different here and that's not letting go. It doesn't matter where you are when you are with the one you love the most and soulfully. She gives up material pleasures to be with Ram who is her world. She doesn't mind the uncertain dangerous world of forest coz she knows she's with her beloved. Together they can handle everything. Those years were perhaps the best years of her life. At least she was with him then. She teaches a lesson to today's young couples who do extremely well in courtship but after marriage when the real responsibility comes fail to adhere to it. The scenes where she makes those clay models they are not just add ons to increase episodes but they show something important about her. As ramji had said make this hut home with your love. She's making a home in forest. By these gestures she's bringing a smile on her husband and devar's face. She's doing her bit to bring happiness. Even when she's kidnapped she doesn't lose her patience and trust. She's sure her husband would come. She doesn't go with Hanuman when she has a chance, her husband's respect is above anything. And code says he must defeat ravan and bring her back. I read a book by devdutt pattanaik. He had said in sita's context "a victim can be a winner if he/she refuses to surrender to the circumstance" thus sita defeats raavan much before Ram by not succumbing to his pressures and threats. Finally her vanvas, probably the most painful incidence in Ramayan even more unfortunate than her kidnapping. This time she makes the real sacrifice by quietly accepting her destiny. She's probably the first ever single mother in Indian history/mytho. She never lets anything embitter her and brings up her sons in the best possible manner. She's again asked to prove her purity.Her whole life she keeps giving, living for others but this time she takes a stand for herself and her self respect. She punishes entire ayodhya by making them feel regret at what they had done.
Urmila
One of the best things I like about SKR is the importance they have given to the other three sisters who are hardly ever acknowledged. Her sacrifice is truly unparallel. I loved the scene where sita tells urmila that her sacrifice will be an example in ages to come. Its her sacrifice that makes lakshman powerful enough to kill meghnad. Even those versions which don't talk about her going to sleep say that she led a vanaprastha life. She used to sleep on floor and eat similar food as he used to in forests. Sulochana's tapasya had made meghnad strong. But Urmila's tapasya was more powerful bcoz of her sacrifice. Though I never liked the idea of sending her to sleep coz that really negates the intensity of her sacrifice but even then the courage she shows by taking that decision in the first place is amazing. To sacrifice 14 years of her life , her youth is commendable.
Mandavi
She suffers a similar fate like Urmila. Though maybe she's better off coz atleast her husband is in the near vicinity so she can atleast see him and be sure of his well being. The two naughty sisters of Mithila bear the hardest burden of the whole exile.
Shrutkirti
The bubbly innocent sister who has always loved under the protection and care of her sisters. The scene which shows Bharat's birthday I was amazed to see shrutkirti. From a naive princess in Mithila to a confident one who is handling state affairs with her husband. The girl who would cry on little things is handling the entire household of the palace with her sister. I always thought why ram sita never had any children in 14years. The serial answered that. lakshman Urmila and Bharat mandvi were separated so question doesn't arise. But what abt shatrughan shrutkirti. They were the only blessed fortunate couple that was never separated. No rules bound them. Then why didn't they have any children in those 14 years then. Maybe bcoz they thought they will have their share of happiness only when their elder brothers and sisters return and whole family if reunited. No text says this but knowing the unconditional love the characters in Ramayan have for each other this seems probable.
I often wondered whose sacrifice is greater. But maybe sacrifice cannot be measured. Urmila and mandavi suffer only 14 years. But sita's trials continue coz Ram's trials continue. And she supports him, first by being with him and then by going away. But she does all for him. She's somebody who makes Ram what he was and that's why it's always Siya Ke Ram.
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