Posted:
First, I would list out what I like about the show.
The music
The near-perfect casting of SriRam. Devi Sita too is good choice.
The visuals
The show started with great promise. That this is based on Ramayan and is shown from Sita's perspective. And that relationship between Ram n Sita will be the focus.
To be fair, the show doesn't claim to be totally based on any Ramayan.
But what the show does often is to twist characters to suit modern sensibilities.
Many poets who wrote Ramayan after Sage Valmiki added a lot of scenes, many of whome were based on pointers in original text. But the characterization remained close to original.
They want to show importance/neglect of girl child. And the whole Shanta episode is weaved accordingly. Kausalya sheds tears copiously.
Dasharatha does an Ashwamedha after Rama's birth?(No) And Rama suggests alternative to animal sacrifice to suit today's value system. Ashwamedha is forbidden in Kaliyuga and was a rare event even in those days.Then what is the reason to show this? Aren't Rama and Ramayana both products of their time? Rama himself performed Ashwamedha.
Kaikeyi turns scheming way too early. So Bharata n Shatrughna are packed off too early. They were not around when Rama left with Vishwamitra but are back just in time for the swayamvar.
What do we call this? Saas-bahu-kitchen-politics hangover?
Sita questions Ram directly about polygamy.And Rama responds. Like someone said in this forum, everything is out in the open. Nothing is subtle or nuanced.
And in Swayamvar, Sita and Janak are repeated insulted regarding Sita's birth. Why? Only to make Rama look like a saviour? It this in anyway modern?
Sita's birth is now a recurring theme. Yesterday, Manthara used it and today Kaikeyi. Waiting for the episode where she is openly taunted in her sasural. This is cheap. Again, kitchen politics hangover mixed with attempts to show that birth doesn't determine greatness. Is this the way? Poor messenger of 'gyan bhumi' mithila was made to look like an ignorant person.
Epics have open/loose ends. Everything is being closed tightly to make it look perfect as the makers n viewers want to see-- with totay's sensibilities. Ramayana has lot of timeless and universal values but everything doesn't have to conform to today's value system. If it did, there wouldn't have been need for Mahabharata. And Ramayana is great because it drove the message.
And I know the timing of this is wrong. We will see more.
But there are some nicely done scenes and that keeps the show going for me.
Ramayana has 2 other names. Poulatsya Vadha(Ravana's killing) and Sitayascharitam Mahat.- the great story of Sita. I hope the greatness reflects.
Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin
