Wall Hanging

A little-known narrative expresses the sentiments of the people of the Mithilanchal belt of Bihar - the birthplace of the goddess Sita. It traces the agony, grief and emotions of the common people as they lament the series of tragic events of Sita’s story from her birth to her return to the womb of Mother Earth.
The narrative is based on a Maithili folk song sung by the people of this region that cuts across communities. It echoes the deep-rooted sentiments of a fisherman, a shepherd and a potter who wish Sita had been born in their families. It describes how they would have nurtured and cherished her and would have got her married to “a good man” who would have kept her by his side forever - in trust, respect and love, none of which they feel she experienced in her marriage to Rama, the king of Ayodhya.
Underlying their wish is deep anger and anguish over the tragic life of Sita: her accompanying Rama on a 14-year vanvasa (exile in the forest), being abducted by Ravana, being questioned by Rama to prove her innocence which leads her to call upon Mother Earth to verify her truth culminating in her being swallowed by Mother Earth.
Through this song they question the wisdom of being brought up in the royal household of King Janaka and her wedding to Rama, which brought her untold misery and humiliation instead of the care and love a poor man could have given her to help her blossom and live happily ever after.