First Interview

L - That's right! Today we are at the Women for Rakshasis as they fight oppression. Like the depictions in the commercial, these rakshasis have had a specific image tied to them and it has negatively affected generations. We are about to conduct our first interview with attendee Trijata, whom some of our viewers might remember from the Ramayana.

Hello, Trijata! Thank you for joining us today! I was hoping you could answer some questions for Good Morning India's segment of On the Street.

T - Of course. Of course. I have always got a moment to talk about the cause. Though most people know who I am, many humans don't understand that I have been fighting for Rakshasa and Rakshasi rights even when I was young.

L - You do play such a pivotal role in the Ramayana, and much of it is true. I'm sure your life has been drastically changed, for better or worse, by its popularity. Do you get stopped on the street often? Like do people recognize you?

T - Actually no. I think people are expecting me to walk in with fangs and fur and cloven hooves. Often, I can tell that humans are disappointed when they realize I look just like them. The only difference is rakshasas and rakshasis historically eat humans, though many, including me, have turned to a more so animal-based diet in light of the oppression. We don't want to give humans any reason to fear us.

L - That's understandable. Now on the topic of how you are depicted in the Ramayana, can you give us some insight to the inaccuracies both in the stories and illustrations?

T - Well, the part that always upset me the most was, and I'm honestly embarrassed I have it memorized, was when we were introduced as the guardians of Sita and it's said...

"Fierce she-demons surrounded her, and some were of fearsome shape; they had dogs' heads and pigs' heads and the faces of horses and buffaloes; some were of great bulk and others were dwarfish; some had but one eye and others had three eyes; the ears of some hung touching the ground; others that were hairy were the most horrible to behold"

It's just ridiculous really. This is a clear example of why humans have been taught to fear us. Years of oppression and discrimination have made our people poor and some are homeless. Humans now look down on us not only for our gender but our class. But I mean... "faces of horses and buffaloes"??? "Three eyes"??? It's just insulting.

L - I don't mean to bring up any trauma for you and I'm so appreciative of you sharing your story. Now before we let you go, can you tell our viewers a little about your relationship then and now with Sita? As we all know she, Rama's exiled wife, has been constantly hounded by the human population. Is that fair to say?

T - Oh, certainly. We became friends when she was captured by Ravana. I was able to come and go as I pleased, so when she needed to hear from the outside world, I was her go-to. At first, our relationship was pretty cut and dry. I would assist her throughout the day and make sure she was where Ravana needed her to be. However, when Ravana began taunting her with news her husband had died and even going so far as to try to attack her, I knew I had to step in. I became her closest confidant and, I hope she won't mind my saying this, helped her through some hard times. As many people who had read the texts deeply know, Sita became highly suicidal and I did my best to prevent her from taking her own life. Not a day goes by that I don't feel proud to have been a part of keeping that wonderful woman here.

Though we were very close then, believe it or not, we are even closer now. Sita has always been a force in the pro-rakshasi movement. Though some people assume I am much, much older than her, we are actually pretty close in age and we have worked together for this cause for years. In fact, I might even have a picture of us together when we were younger. It was right after Sita had thought Rama had died. I'll get that to you.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

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I love the idea of retelling the story of rakshasis in the light of feminism. I wanted to help explain not only the falsity of the original claims but the effect they would have on future populations as well. I originally wanted to come up with my own rakshasis and create their stories, but I was encouraged to work with existing stories. Trijata’s story was definitely one of the ones I wanted to focus on. Throughout the story of Sita’s capture the rakshasis are depicted as animalistic and cruel, but if you actually look into it you’ll see that they were protecting her. Trijata, one of the rakshasis, is even described as supporting Sita and encouraging her through these rough times. I thought what a contradiction that rakshasis are depicted as heart-less, vicious animals throughout the whole thing, but actually protect humans (as well as eat them). I also address the whole human-eating aspect and gave it a Twilight spin (Team Jacob). I had a lot of fun not only writing this but finding supporting images and coming up with ways of speaking for both participants. I hope to unpack Sita’s story later on. I’m not quite yet married to the idea of doing Thataka’s granddaughter, although that would be pretty cool.

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Commercial Courtesy of ~ Ranbir Talwar

Banner Image Courtesy of ~ Phil Roeder

Story Information Courtesy of ~

PDE Ramayana ~ Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

Trijata - Wikipedia