BANISHMENT OF SITA

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Drama on occasion of Balotsav 2023-24

Performed by Madhav group of KK
CHARACTERS, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Character / Role Owned by

Lord Rama Siddharth
Mother Sita Bhakti
Lakshmana Aniruddh
Mother Vaibhavi
Daughter TBD
Bhadra Prajwal
Sage Nitai
Dance Troupe Sinchana, Jhanishka, Shriya + 1 boy
Background Management Tanav, Jagannath Kollur, Jagannath Suta
Narrator TBD
SCENE 1 | HOME
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(Door Bell rings)

Mother: Oh, must be Pavni. Hari Bol beta. How are you?

Daughter: Good.

Mother: How was your day?

Daughter: Lots of matters, Lots of clients, quite tired.

Mother: Yeah.

Daughter: Yeah.

Mother: But I picked up two tickets for a play in Birla matushree (?)

Daughter: I hope the second person is not me. I am very tired today.

Mother: It is you.

(Speaking over each other)

Daughter: Mama please. You know how tired I get.

Mother: Please Pavni. Even Papa said no. I want to go to this post.

Daughter: Mama take some friend of yours.

Mother: But I want to go for this play.

Daughter: Mama, I don't want to go.

Mother: Why? it's Ramayan Pavni!

Daughter: What? Its Ramayan? Mama please, I am not interested in Ramayan.

Mother: Why what happened something happened in court?

Daughter: Nothing happen in court. I am just not interested please.

Mother: You want to have a glass of water? Here drink some water

Daughter: Mama, how can family life be stable when men are exploitative and irresponsible.

Mother: The roots of family life are directly being inspired from Ramayan, Pavni , why are you thinking
like this?
Daughter: Mama, why did Ram banish Sita? Do you have an answer?

Mother: Come, let's have a talk sit.

Daughter: Mama there's nothing to talk about. You have no answer and there's no justification for this.

Mother: Pavni, Ram is an ideal man. Maryada purushotam. And we talk about Indian culture, all Indian
culture is being derived from Ramayan from Lord Ram, do you know that?

Daughter: Mama, you're talking about inspiration? The only inspiration that's derived out of Ramayan is
that of exploitative men. And the only legacy that Ram has left behind is of self centered, selfish and
egoistic, man. So you please keep your blind, believe to yourself.

Mother: Pavani. You have accused Him now? You believe in that, what do you call it? Natural justice.
Aldante no, that is pasta (smiles).

Daughter: You mean, Audi Alteram Partem!

Mother: So whatever that is. So He has a right to be heard so we can watch the play and you can decide
what you think of him.

Daughter: Okay, but if I'm still not convinced then you take me shopping.

Mother: Take you shopping anyhow. Raghukul Reet, Sada, Chali Ayi. Pran Jaaye per Vachan. N Jaaye.
Okay, come let's go.
SCENE 2 | AYODHYA
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(Dance to Welcome Lord Rama, Mother Sita and Lakshmana)

(Arrival of Lord Ram, residents and dance troupe welcome Lord Rama and co. with garlands and sweets)

(Recitation of Avajananti Maam mudha verse and translation)

SCENE 3 | PALACE
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Bhadra: All glories to you, my lord.

RAMA: Bhadra how are you? Welcome. avaj

Bhadra: The whole praja under your rajya is very happy. My lord. And so is your servant Bhadra

RAMA: Bhadra you are my Minister of Ayodhya. And you interact with the praja of Ayodhya more closely
than I ever do. Please tell me how can I serve the praja of Ayodhya beta?

Bhadra: Who can serve them better than you? My lord, everyone is talking about your victory over
Ravan

RAMA: But Bhadra. I'm sure that the Praja of Ayodhya must be having some concerns some problem.
Please tell me. How can I serve them beta?

Bhadra: Everyone is talking about the bridge which you built over the ocean.

RAMA: Bhadra, problems, concerns

Bhadra: People talk by Lord people talk.

RAMA: But that's what I want to know Bhadra. What are they saying?

Bhadra: My Lord, people are talking about Mother Sita.

RAMA: What about Mother Sita are they saying?

Bhadra: People are saying tha Ravana abducted Sita by placing her on his lap and she stayed for one
year in his Garden. Why is Raja Ram not condemning her?

RAMA: Bhadra? Is this would praja of Ayodhya think of the king and queen?

Bhadra: Yes my lord and you accepted Mother Sita without questioning her.

RAMA: Anything else?

Bhadra: My lord they are calling yourself henpecked and Mother Sita unchaste my Lord, unchaste.

RAMA: But Bhadra, wait a minute, Sita underwent the Agni Pariksha, she came out pure and faultless.
Aren't they aware of that?

Bhadra: My Lord the praja claims that it was not in front of them and now the ladies of Ayodhya will
fearlessly stay out for days together, and will have to be accepted by the family members without any
questioning my lord.

RAMA: Anything else. Bhadra, Thank you for your valuable service. I appreciate your honesty to help me
serve the praja of Ayodhya. On your way out. Please ask the guards to call my beloved brother Laxman.

Bhadra: Yes my lord Pranam.

(Lord Rama is alone)

(Lord Rama sobbing and crying)

RAMA: Praja, Sita (actions by hand). Sita will have to enter vanvas again.

(Crying and sobbing)

And this time all by Herself.

(Lakshmana enters the scene)

Lakshmana: Pranam brother

RAMA: Laxman.

Lakshmana: You called for me?

RAMA: Yes Laxman

Lakshmana: Is everything alright brother?

RAMA: Yes Laxman. There is some information I have to share with you. This is one of the most difficult
decisions, I will be taking in my life. By the will of providence, Sita will have to enter Vanavas again
Laxman.

Lakshmana: What? Why brother?

RAMA: To save the Parampara and to establish the Maryada of the Raghukula dynasty Laxman. My
beloved wife Sita. The sinless, the faultless, the pure, the most cheste. I'll have to let her go Laxman.

Lakshmana: Brother bitHwhy vanavas? How can you do this to her? She's carrying your vamsh!

RAMA: I'm aware, I'm aware Lakshman, I know it hurts you but, Sita, I have to let her go. It hurts me to
take this decision Laxman.

Lakshmana: But why such a drastic decision brother? How can you do this to her? This is not acceptable
to me brother! Sita is my Mother. How can a son leave his Mother alone in the forest. This is not fair!
Brother, Mother Sita Daughter in law of raghukul dynasty. She is our honour. She is our pride. How can
you send her away to the forest?

RAMA: Honour Laxman, honour. Anyone who questions Sira's chastity, anyone who questions Sira's
purity, is questioning our dynasty Laxman.

Lakshmana: Who dares question Mother Sita's chastity?!?

RAMA: The praja. The praja of Ayodhya Laxman!

Lakshmana: Don't they know about the Agni pariksha?! You know she's pure.

RAMA: Laxman, they were not there.

Lakshmana: Brother we were there.

RAMA: We have witnessed it Laxman, they are unaware.

Lakshmana: Brother. We were there brother! I will not let you to this to Mother Sita. You, for this
dynasty,

RAMA: Laxman!

Lakshmana: As your younger brother I refuse to follow your instructions. This is not fair, please don't do
this to Mother Sita.

RAMA: I have been thinking about this Laxman and I have made up my mind. As King of Ayodhya, I
request you Laxman. Please leave Mother Sita to Valmiki muni's ashram Laxman.

Lakshmana: Brother. Oh Mother Sita. Crying. Please forgive me. I have to follow instructions of Ayodhya
pati Ram. Please forgive me.
SCENE 4 | PALACIAL ROOM
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Sita: This is such a beautiful necklace. I must pack this too. Oh Lakshman, your're here. Come.

Lakshmana: To fulfill your Desire.

Sita: Oh Lakshman, I can't tell you how happy I am. How eager I am to visit the forest once again to meet
all the sages and their wives. To take their blessings.

Lakshmana: Mother. We should leave now.

Sita: Yes, Laxman. See, I am taking all these wonderful clothes and jewellery to distribute among all the
stages and the wives. They will be so pleased. See what do you think?

Lakshmana: Mother. It's a long way. We should leave

Sita: Actually Laxman. I have been waiting for Raghunandan. He had agreed to come along with me this
time to take blessings. Do you know where He is? I've not seen him since morning.

Lakshmana: Mother. He must be busy in administrative duties. He instructed me to take you to Valmiki
Muni's ashram. And once he's free, he'll come.

Sita: Oh Laxman, you're such an obedient brother. I am sure that without you he must be finding it really
difficult to handle the administration.

Lakshmana: Yes Mother. The rath is waiting for us. Please come.

Sita: Sumitranandan wait, what is the matter? Why do you look so upset? Is it because my loot side Lord
Ram. He is not a acompanying is this time to the forest is that the reason?

Lakshmana: Mother we should leave now.

Sita: But how can I leave without him Laxman?

Lakshmana: Mother the rath is waiting for us.

Sita: I don't know why Lakshman but since morning there has been an unusual kind of anxiety within my
heart. If he is not coming along with us, they let me at least take his blessings.

Lakshmana: No Mother. Please come, it's a long way.

Sita: No Laxman, you don't understand. I must meet him. I must meet Raghunandan.

Lakshmana: Mother, please, Please come

Sita: Then let me atleast offer these flowers to him. Please, I'm.

Lakshmana: Mother please, Mother please no.

Sita: Please Laxman.

Lakshmana: We're getting late.

Sita: Only at his doorstep Laxman. Please. And don't worry, I shall never be the one to disturb My Lord
Ram. I shall never come in the way of his Rajya Dharma.

(Offers flowers at His doorstep. Takes blessings.)

(Lord Rama comes on stage and is crying. Calls out for Sita.)
SCENE 5 | VALMIKI ASHRAM, BANKS OF GANGA
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Sita: Pranam, Pranam Mother, Ganga. I have been purified by your darshan. Lakshman. Lakshman,
Lakshman are you crying? Is it because you are missing raghunandan? We'll, even I can't to wait to see
him again. But don't worry. Laxman is just a matter of two days and we will meet him again.

Lakshmana: Oh Mother.

Sita: But, and look Laxman. This is such an auspicious moment. We are able to take darshan of Mother
Ganga. And I can't wait to see all the sages meet their wives. Take their blessings.

Lakshmana: Oh Mother. What should I say? There is a thorn stuck in my heart, how could Emperor Ram?
Make me do this? Which is worse than death for me!

Sita: What is the matter Laxman. Look, please be clear. I don't know why but this behaviour of yours it's
bewildering me now. What is that is bothering you so much? I hope I hope raghunandan is, alright. He is,
isn't He? please tell me he's alright, please.

Lakshmana: Oh Mother. Emperor Ram has taken a decision. This is not even acceptable to him. His
ministers informed him that the people are talking. About you Mother and emperor Ram.

Sita: Be clear Laxman. What are the subject saying?

Lakshmana: Mother the you are unchaste. And Lord Ram. Ayodhyapati Ram is henpecked.

Sita: What?!

Lakshmana: Because he got you back from Lanka. After you stayed there for one full year.

Sita: But wasn't I tested for that?

Lakshmana: Mother maryada purushotam Ram doesn't doubt you at all. But the people are talking. So,
He decided that I should take you to, Valmiki muni's ashram. And come back alone to Ayodhya.

(Sita starts crying and sobbing)

Sita: Have I been born only to go through pain. Oh Raghunandan. How will I live without You my Lord?
I'm Your Ardhangini My Lord, I'm Your Ardhangini. How will I live without you? Oh Ram!

(Sita gathers courage and speaks with determination)

Sita: No. I understand. I understand, I understand why Raja Ram, Ayodhya pati Raja Ram has made this
decision and I support it.

Lakshmana: Yes Mother.

Sita: I support His decision to uphold His duty towards the citizens of Ayodhya. I support Him. Oh my
dear Lord Ram, I know, I know that you are renouncing me, to avoid disaster. And being a responsible
king of Ayodhya. It is Your duty to eradicate all sorts of doubts and rumours that are spreading because
of me.

Yes, yes.

(Crying in anguish.)

Lakshman. Do you know, this reminds me of another dilemma of Rajya Dharma, which happensled, 16
years back.

(Very brief recap of Kaikeyi pastime.)

“That's it. That's it. Mother” This is what My Lord Ram had to say, to his Mother Kaikeyi, who had just
banished Him.

So Laxman, I want you to give a message to the king of Ayodhya. To Ayodhyapati Rajaram. From His
Queen, Rani Sita. Tell him. That He should rule out Kingdom according to the principals of Dharma Rajya
dharma.

Tell him that our Praja. They are like our Children. And that He must take care of each and everyone of
them. Just the way he takes care of his three younger brothers. With utmost love care and compassion.
With the head of a king and the heart of a father.

(In the background.)

Mother: So Pavni, are you liking the Play beta?

Daughter: Yes, mama. But mama, my question hasn't been completely answered. I have never doubted
the son Ram or the king Ram. I know it was his Rajya Dharma. In fact unlike Dashrath Ram didn't banish
Sita. He actually comfortably dropped her to Valmiki Muni's ashram, but mamma what about the
husband Ram.

What about his duties to Mother Sita? Where was the love mamma? Where was the respect?

Mother: Love and respect beta? Do you know King Ram. Or Raja Ram was asked to marry again and
again. As a king he could have. If he was egoistic and self centered. He could have said my Praja wants
me to remarry, but on the contrary what did he do?

During the occasion of every fire sacrifice? He ensured and he considered the gold effigee of Mother Sita
pure enough to represent Sita that is love in separation. Viraha Leela. Let's watch the rest of it now.
SCENE 5 | FIRE SACRIFICE, FOREST
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(Recitation of Avajananti Maam mudha verse and translation)

(Narrator’s conclusion.)

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THE END