Sita Sings the Blues

A groundbreaking animated musical that retells the ancient Indian epic Ramayana through the eyes of Sita, set to 1920s jazz recordings by Annette Hanshaw. Director Nina Paley weaves her own heartbreak story into the mythological tale, creating a deeply personal and visually stunning film. Featuring multiple animation styles including flash animation, collage, and traditional Indian shadow puppetry, this feature-length film was made by a single artist over five years. Declared a 'Free Cultural Work' by its creator, it's one of the most important open-source animated films ever made.