Diwali 2022: 8 Feminist Retellings Of Ramayana That Present A Powerful Voice For Sita

Sita has always been a submissive character in Ramayana. Read these books to hear her voice of reason.
Krati Purwar

Ramayana is one of the most sacred epics followed by Hindus. It is a tale of the triumph of good over evil. With more than 300 versions of the Ramayana in existence, the story has been retold over time to preach to people the difference between right and wrong.

Most people follow Valmiki’s version of Ramayana. It is the oldest. However, even other versions are either focused on the story of Lord Ram or the demon king of Lanka.

Ramayana is not just a battle between good and bad. It wasn’t just about two men fighting over a woman either. It was as much of Sita’s story as it was Ram’s and Ravana’s. While the time in which it supposedly was written did not give much importance to a woman’s life, a few authors have retold the tale from Sita’s point of view, adding a feminist aspect.

The retellings have been important to understand that Sita was not merely an object of desire and politics in the literary piece. She was a person with an identity, intellect, and voice. Whatever happened must have affected her more than Ram and Ravana because she was the one who was abducted, and she was the one who raised her twins alone in the forest.

Here are some feminist retellings of Ramayana that you must read to gain perspective on Sita’s character:

1 The Liberation Of Sita By Volga

This book represents the perspective of Sita when she was banished to the forest after her purity was questioned. It showcases the hardships she went through to raise her sons and fought for her dignity and self-respect.

The story also highlights the sacrifices and tales of other women who played crucial roles in Ramayana, including Renuka, Ahalya, Urmila, and Surpanakha among others.

2 Sita’s Ramayana By Samhita Arni

If you have struggled to explain Ramayana to your kids, there is no better way to introduce little minds to the epic through a graphic novel. From the marriage of Ram and Sita to the killing of Ravana, it offers an insight into the tale from a feminist perspective. 

3 Sita’s Ascent By Vayu Naidu

It is a story that explores the human emotions of Sita, Ram and Lakshman when she was exiled to live in a forest after a washerman questioned her character. The layered characters, their dilemma and their feelings will keep you hooked. It is an interesting twist to an epic saga that had divine forms of God.

4 Sita: A Tale Of Ancient Love By Bhanumathi Narasimhan

In most versions of Ramayana, Sita was a side character to Ram’s divine powers and virtues. However, in this book, the author has explored Ramayana from her point of view. It talks about the strength of a woman in helping her husband with everyday tasks and bringing up two sons all by herself.

 

5 Sita: Warrior Of Mithila By Amish Tripathi

Amish Tripathi is known for twisting epics and introducing interesting plots in them. Sita is one of the books in her Ramayana series in which she is not inferior to Ram but equivalent to him. She can fight, has a voice, and understands the complexities of the world better than her male counterpart.

6 Sita By Devdutt Pattanaik

Devdutt Pattanaik is a renowned mythologist who has presented a new personality of Sita than what we have heard so far. His retelling talks about her upbringing and abduction. However, in this story, she is not a submissive woman but a powerful individual whose magnanimity has never been addressed.

7 Sitayana By Amit Majumdar

Sitayana is a modern version of Ramayana. Not only does it focus on major characters but also the role of minor personalities without whom the epic would not have been legendary as it is. In this, Sita has a voice which everyone can hear, even between the lines.

 

8 The Forest Of Enchantment By Chitra Banerjee

If you ever wondered how Sita would have felt during Agnipariksha (examination of purity) or what conversation would have happened between the husband and wife, this book offers an interesting take.

Much like Ram, Sita is a divine character in this book. She is a woman with a voice of reason and does not consider herself beneath her husband. She is showcased arguing and speaking to assert her self-respect beyond which not even her husband could stand. 

Ramayan Books Feminism