Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
33rd out of 38 books
—
3 voters
Sita's Ramayana
The Ramayana is an epic poem by the Hindu sage Valmiki, written in ancient Sanskrit sometime after 300 BC. It is an allegorical story that contains important Hindu teachings, and it has had great influence on Indian life and culture over the centuries. Children are often encouraged to emulate the virtues of the two main characters — Rama and Sita. The Ramayana is frequentl...more
Hardcover, 152 pages
Published
September 27th 2011
by Groundwood Books
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
472)
Audience: ages 8-14, children from India or with that background, those interested in folklore or Indian/eastern religions, children that like fairy tales, kids that like graphic novels; because of its religious tones, I would be careful before selecting this book for a school library or classroom
Appeal: a fast-moving narrative, interesting and engaging artwork, lots of folklorian drama
Application: I would use this book to introduce some folklore from different cultures to the students as well a...more
Appeal: a fast-moving narrative, interesting and engaging artwork, lots of folklorian drama
Application: I would use this book to introduce some folklore from different cultures to the students as well a...more
I've been looking for a way into Indian mythology for a loooong time, and grabbed this from the library when I saw it. This gorgeous graphic novel was great -- told from the heroine's p.o.v., it's got a mildly feminist take on the story of the Ramayana, which reminds me forcefully of the Trojan War in Greek mythology. Sita, in this telling, is a sympathetic Helen-type character -- i.e., she's the stolen woman and the ostensible reason for a violent war that's really more about the royal male cha...more
The Ramayana is one of the greatest ancient Indian epics and a sacred story cherished by millions throughout the world. It is the story of Prince Ram's quest to save his beautiful wife Princess Sita. The epic has been told and retold for thousands of years, the story changing as it is translated into one of the many languages of South Asia. In one of the most popular versions, Princess Sita, representing the pinnacle of womanly virtue, is abducted by Prince Ram's rival, the demon-king Ravana. Pr...more
This graphic novel version of the Hindu legend Ramayana--the original tale was written in 300 B.C.--is told from the point of view of Sita, a queen and wife of Rama. Trouble comes in the form of Surpanaka whose desire for Rama's brother is not returned, and ends in Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana being banished from their lands. When King Ravana sees her beauty and wants her for his own, he ends up imprisoning her while assuring her that her husband will not come for her. Things go from bad to worse w...more
Excellent art in a traditional Bengali style underpins this retelling of the Ramayana, one of India's two great epics, from the perspective of Sita, wife of the hero of the story. The narrative is often very good, raising questions about the moral implications of characters who tend to be venerated as gods in this country. But despite some stunning moments, the narrative doesn't go as deep into the issues and perspectives it touches on as it could have. Perhaps part of the problem was that the a...more
I would give the artwork 5 stars; the book is truly stunning visually. Sadly the writing doesn't match up. I wish the book would've concentrated more on Sita's exile rather than the traditional Rama vs Ravana story. It does, to its credit, look at the war from Sita's perspective: Instead of the monolithic good vs. evil story that we've been raised to believe, Sita despairs over the massive waste of life and limb caused by the battle. Worse, we find out Rama undertakes the mission not to save his...more
This is a beautiful book and a well-written retelling of the Ramayana. I hadn't heard of this story before reading this book, and haven't read any other versions. After reading this one, however, it struck me as the Indian equivalent of the "Helen of Troy" story in a lot of ways. It's interesting how stories with similar themes pop up in different cultures. Of course, the details of the story are quite different, but I felt there were many similar messages.
There is a very brief essay at the end...more
There is a very brief essay at the end...more
This is a beautiful book and a different perspective on the classic epic. It reminded me of Margaret Atwood's Penelopiad, which tells the story of Homer's Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope, Odysseus's long-suffering wife, waiting at home for the wayward hero whose resolve to get home is tested by various nymphs and goddess-seductresses who try to divert him from his objective. Let's just say he seems a bit too willing to be diverted. In Sita's Ramayana, Sita's impatience with the whole ma...more
Sita’s Ramayana
1. Junior Book: Graphic Novel
2. This is the retelling of the Hindu Epic of The Ramayana, told from the standpoint of Sita, the queen. This story is told as a flashback, where Sita recounts how she and her husband were exiled from their own kingdom and is eventually captured by an evil king and imprisoned, as the evil king tries to convince her to be his wife.
3. Critique:
a. The most critical element in this graphic novel is the intensity of the illustrations.
b. The folk art style...more
1. Junior Book: Graphic Novel
2. This is the retelling of the Hindu Epic of The Ramayana, told from the standpoint of Sita, the queen. This story is told as a flashback, where Sita recounts how she and her husband were exiled from their own kingdom and is eventually captured by an evil king and imprisoned, as the evil king tries to convince her to be his wife.
3. Critique:
a. The most critical element in this graphic novel is the intensity of the illustrations.
b. The folk art style...more
Sita’s Ramayana by Samhita Arni is a graphic novel that tells the story of Sita and the journey she embarks on with her husband. The tale is told by Sita and describes her life in the forest once she, her husband (Rama) and his brother (Lakshmana) are sent into exile for 15 years. During this period, Sita gets taken away by the antagonist of the story, Ravana, and experiences a lot of trouble in finally being rescued. I personally thought it was an interesting book as Samhita dove right into the...more
Sita's Ramayana first caught my eye because of its flashing colours and graphics. The artworks are certainly the best part of the book because the details are stunningly impressive. The story is a nice and simple read. The Hindu epic poem is told in the perspective of Sita. I really enjoyed reading this book because of the way the author portrayed each character. They had their own character, especially Sita. I loved her voice in the book as it was strong and unique. This book strongly reflects...more
Moyna Chitrakar painted this version of the Ramayana drawing on Vālmīki’s poem and some regional variations including the Benagali Chandrabati Rāmāyaṇa. It’s an adaptation of her Patua scroll original. “…Patua is a folk-art form that combines performance, storytelling and art. The story is recited or sung as the narrator hold up a painted scroll, pointing to the image that goes with the words.” Chitrakar’s bold brush strokes, curved shapes and vivid primary colors lend themselves well to the tra...more
In this book, a Patua scroll painter has adapted the Ramayana as a fast-paced, brilliantly bold graphic novel. All of the suspense, treachery, sorcery, and pathos of this epic is depicted in homemade natural dyes layered onto paper in energetic lines, rhythmic patterns, and fields of hot, bright colors. Taut but soulful narrative and dialogue help to tell the story, especially for readers unfamiliar with Hindu iconography.
Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/201...
Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/201...
This graphic novel won the 2012 South Asia Book Award. It has beautiful artwork and is a great multicultural find. It tells a sad tale of an Indian princess that is exiled and then kidnapped by Ravana, the Demon King of Lanka. The plot, while introducing you to many Indian gods and goddesses, is a little hard to follow. The family tree in the front of the book helped me keep track of the Indian names. Once I had a handle on the gods, the rest of the book was enjoyable and interesting. This might...more
For a story where the main theme is the triumph of good over evil, Sita definitely got the short end of the stick. But I guess that's what happens when you hear the story from the woman's point of view. In other versions Rama always comes off looking squeaky clean, so this version certainly adds some perspective to the tale.
Found the adaptation of a traditional art form, Patua scroll paintings, to the graphic novel format intriguing. Wish there had been more info on the artist/tradition. Overall...more
Found the adaptation of a traditional art form, Patua scroll paintings, to the graphic novel format intriguing. Wish there had been more info on the artist/tradition. Overall...more
This is, first and foremost, a visually stunning book. Wow.
And even though I don't know any other versions if the story, it still seemed a bit radical to hear the story from the woman's point if view.
The ending -- wow.
It was hard to keep all the characters straight in my mind, and the story line is strange...but I suppose not any more strange than the familiar strangeness of Greek mythology. Will I put this on the shelf in my fourth grade classroom? Maybe I'll have one of my Indian parents re...more
And even though I don't know any other versions if the story, it still seemed a bit radical to hear the story from the woman's point if view.
The ending -- wow.
It was hard to keep all the characters straight in my mind, and the story line is strange...but I suppose not any more strange than the familiar strangeness of Greek mythology. Will I put this on the shelf in my fourth grade classroom? Maybe I'll have one of my Indian parents re...more
I didn't realize that this book was a feminist retelling of the Ramayana. I had always wanted to read the epic and was excited to discover a condensed graphic novel version. I enjoyed the story, though I was thrown aback by the illustrations at times. They did not always match the text as well as they could have. However, the pictures were beautiful. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes graphic novels and has an interest in Indian or Hindu culture.
I'm biased, because I'm friends with the author. I wish I knew more about the Ramayana so I could contextualize this interpretation. Even with the scantest of knowledge about Hindu mythology, this was a very enjoyable read and the writing and pictures are gorgeous and complement each other wonderfully. This is a spectacular graphic novel.
Nov 15, 2011
Hayley
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
action,
animals,
fantasy,
folklore,
highschool,
historical,
graphic,
middleschool,
romance,
survival,
tragedy,
war
I like the idea of this more than I liked the actual book. Using images from a Patua scroll painter, and telling the story from the perspective of Sita, Rama's wife, this is a twist on the Hindu epic poem. But I found some of the pictures confusing, and the editing down of the story makes it choppy and leaves some things unexplained.
This is perhaps the best re-telling of the Ramayana I've ever read. Truth be told The Ramayana is my least favourite epic, I have too many issues with the story and the lead characters. But loved this book and the art is simply breath taking. This book really is a stunning work of art!
Excellent artwork tells the epic Ramayana from the POV of poor Sita, who is ostensibly the fulcrum of the story but largely kept on the fringes. She is shabbily treated throughout, and this makes this reframed epic all the more interesting.
This was my first reading of the Ramayana (in preparation for seeing the Ramayana performed at ACT) so I didn't have an opinion about reading the epic tale from Sita's perspective. The illustrations were spectacularly rich and engaging. The story reminded me how imperfect and complex we all are.
This is a good book from Feminist point of view. Text was not required in some places. Stunningly original visuals and colorful. Growing up in India, we realize that everyone has a take on Ramayana. This version adds to the story.
A retelling of a traditional Hindu text told through the perspective of two women gives this story a distinctly feminist twist. For more:
http://satiasreviews.blogspot.com/201...
http://satiasreviews.blogspot.com/201...
I loved the succinct retelling and the gorgeous art work! I have never enjoyed the epic before and Sita's perspective (as retold by the authors) is such an empathetic, no-nonsense version of the story...
Ramayana never fails to enchant me, regardless of the medium or form in which it is told and retold. Beautiful illustrations of Patua art. Was hoping for a newer angle to the epic as it is, after all, Sita's rendition of the Ramayana, though.
Absolutely fantastic. If you like this, check out BBC's "The Story of India" with Michael Wood. I watch it over and over and it never gets old. India is a beautiful country, full of history.
I enjoyed the retelling of this legend from ancient India. The art is lovely. The story is a bit sad. This graphic book was a great way to learn about a legend I wasn't familiar with.
While the art is truly stunning I was not impressed with the writing that went along with it. The perspective of Sita is unique and interesting so why did I feel bored?
Nicely written and beautifully illustrated. My only complaint is that the stylization meant that sometimes the human characters could look indistinguishable from one another.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Samhita Arni has been interested in Hindu mythology since she was a child. She has written The Mahabaharata: A Child’s View, a version of another great Indian epic, which has been translated into seven languages and was named Book of the Month by the German Academy for Youth Literature and Media, and one of the Best Published Books of 2004 by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. It also won the Elsa M...more
More about Samhita Arni...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“War, in some ways, is merciful to men. It makes them heroes if they are the victors. If they are the vanquished - they do not live to see their homes taken, their wives widowed. But if you are a woman - you must live through defeat...”
—
3 people liked it
More quotes…
8 de Ene 21:10