Animator Nina Paley is bringing a new Western sensibility to the ancient Hindu myths. She's created a series of animated episodes based on the Indian epic the Ramayana, with some scenes set to 1920s jazz songs sung by vocalist Annette Hanshaw. Paley, who lived in India in 2002, is putting her own spin on the story, emphasizing the experiences of Sita, the wife of the original version's hero Rama. In Paley's version, Sita is the real hero.

Paley produces the animations, collectively titled “Sita Sings the Blues,” using Flash animation and Adobe AfterEffects. She hopes to have a completed version by 2008. You can view some of the individual chapters at the Sitayana page of her Web site.