Janhavi ,this SKR has indeed been an excellent visual bonanza for us .The writing has most often been at par or even enhancing the scenes. I have tried to describe the colors and their significance of the three major places in the serial. I also realized that it would be incomplete if I don't correlate it to three gunas, so here goes:
MITHILA
The colors of Mithila reflects the nature of its king and his subjects. The drought ridden earth forces a king to make a golden plough {here gold represents both purity of thoughts and sanctity of actions}that is needed to pacify both the Earth and the unrelenting power of the sun. First the earth shows her appreciation by giving the king her child wrapped in Red symbolizing an auspicious beginning as well a blessing; then the sky reinforces this by letting the much needed rain to engulf the whole of Mithila. The King and Queen are in tones of Ivory and beige that again stand for calmness and simplicity.
The palace is completely enveloped in various forms of the tones of the earth and nature. It has brown as its main component and brown stands for simplicity, comfort, Stability, endurance. The other colors that are often repeated in the dcor are sandle wood yellow and maroon; the yellow symbolizing learning and the maroon ,is all about confidence and strength. The golden color used in the dcor and ornaments are muted in tone{except the pre marriage and post marriage scenes in Mithila} completely in tune with the muted tones of the inhabitants' attire. The green fields represents harmony, peace and prosperity. And Janhavi, how can we forget the mountain summit scene between Ram and Sita with the pink{acceptance and tenderness}, orange{balance and warmth} and yellow{idealism and hope} sky. Really a visual treat wasn't it?
Now looking at the colors and the general demeanor of its people, we can easily correlate it with the Sattvika Guna for its balance and moderation.
Ayodhya
The fluidity of Mithila gives way to the rigidity of Ayodhya, both in its structure and demeanor. The palace made of stone seems to embody the qualities of endurance and strength. The colors both in dcor and attires are bolder, vivid and bright. The muted gold tone {representing enlightenment}of Mithila changes to the stronger gold{representing energy prosperity, wealth, prestige} in Ayodhya.The queens' wear more vivid colors. The colors like dark Blue{represents vastness, sincerity, reserved} and even darker purple{ representing a mix of the energy of red and the spirituality of blue}are used often.
All these tones and hues correlate to the Rajas guna for its energy and vibrance.
LANKA
The palace seems to made of dark grey stone representing isolation and strength. The ocean surrounding Lanka is a turbulent, violent and unrelenting amalgamation of blue and grey with no discerning color. All its main inhabitants are attired in black or colors with darker hues. Black in its extremity often stands for unapproachability as well as intimidation. Even the brighter attire of its queen and some other ladies is overshadowed by the dark minds and even darker actions of Ravan and his cohorts. The gold unlike in Mithila and Ayodhya takes on a hard excessive glitter highlighting its egoistic and evil aspect.
These tones correlate to the 'tamas guna'.
One more thing I noticed was the Raj sabha in all these three places. The raj sabha of Mithila has skylights with the sun beaming in softly and the seats are closer to the earth symbolizing a perfect communion of knowledge ,power and spirituality.
In Ayodhya it is well lit and the sun shines with more intensity and energy. The seats are higher than in Mithila, but the feet still touches the ground symbolizing the balance between power and righteousness.
In lanka it was quite dark and gloomy with the seats on a very high plane symbolizing that power exists without righteousness or even knowledge.
I hope I have given you a lucid post on the significance of colors, Janhavi.
Savita
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
