Kiran Pavaskar rehearses for Sita

There are different brushes with which people have painted the character of Sita over the years. Some view her as the embodiment of feminine ideals, ascribing the role of "Sita Maiya" to her as a beacon of inspiration for the modern-day wife. For others, she is a fallen woman, whose period of captivity in Ravana's lair throws her moral standing open to circumspection. A feminist approach might portray her as a submissive person, who pandered to the whims and fancies of her powerful husband. But a counter to that viewpoint is that Sita was merely being supportive, as every partner even in 21st-century relationships should be, regardless of gender.