‘Sita Sings the Blues’ show in Starlight Pavilion cancelled after protests !

New York, USA: The 21^st July showing of ‘Sita Sings the Blues’ in Starlight Pavilion has been cancelled after growing protests from the Hindu community, spearheaded by Patanjali Rambrich, an alert Hindu in New York. A spontaneous protest demonstration by temple devotees also had taken place at Durga Temple of Virginia last night, when a TV interview about the issue was recorded in front of the Rama-Sita shrine. Last week, Forum for Hindu Awakening had received several complaints about this showing to be held along with a panel discussion with the film’s producer Nina Paley. Hindus have found this animation film to be an extremely denigrating twist on their sacred epic ‘Ramayan’.

Given the organizer Rohan Narine’s initial non-response to Hindus’ protests, Forum for Hindu Awakening had to call for staging educative protests outside the venue and boycotting Starlight Pavilion. However, today, in an email, Rohan Narine has confirmed the cancellation of this event. It is learned from sources that this was due to Starlight Pavilion cancelling this event.

The ‘Ramayan’ was composed by Hindus’ revered Sage Valmiki. It is a narration of the exemplary life of Rama, who is worshipped by Hindus as the embodiment of perfection, while Rama’s wife Sita is worshipped as the ultimate symbol of chastity. Paley, claiming the film to be based on the ‘Ramayan’, has drawn irreverent parallels between her own heartbreak and Rama and Sita. Paley has in the past disregarded protests from thousands of Hindus worldwide, showing her insensitivity and malicious intent in making this film. Forum for Hindu Awakening is a nonprofit, tax exempt organization in USA, devoted to creating awareness about Hinduism and Hindu spirituality.

Starlight Pavilion, New York. USA is going to show 'Sita Sings the Blues' movie on 21 July 2011. The movie ridicules Goddess Sita and Ramayana in very much bad manner. The movie is created by Nina Paley, American Cartoonist, who states that this story is based on the Ramayan of Rushi Valmiki. But what she has done is take the ingredients of the epic story and give it a meaning which is completely opposite to the spiritual truths that the scripture conveys. It is duty of all Hindus to protest lawfully against 'Starlight Pavilion' so that it should not show 'Sita Sings the Blues'.

Devout Hindus are protesting lawfully on following Contact details: Starlight Pavilion 130-05 101st Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11419 Sharmin John, Managing Director: +1 718 -850-1300 Email: sjohn@starlitepavilion.com Booking: bookings@starlitepavilion.com Email: rohan.narine@elliman.com

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Hindu Jajanagruti Samiti is an NGO working for the cause of Hindu and Hindu Dharma all over world. For details please refer our website www.HinduJagruti.org
 
We at the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have received complaints from several Hindus from all over the world about the showing of a film 'Sita sings the blues' at the Starlight Pavilion in New York next Thursday (21st July). We would like to bring to your attention that 'Sita sings the blues' denigrates Hindus' revered scripture Ramayan, and Deities Rama and Sita. You can refer the online signature drive going on our website at the link. http://www.hindujagruti.org/denigrations/sitasingstheblues,You will observe that more than 8500 Proud Hindus had lodged their protest and complaints against the movie which had resulted in stopping the distribution of CD's.

People from different faiths live in America and it is important to maintain sensitivity towards each other's religion, to live harmoniously. Denigration of religious symbols and icons causes disharmony, as it hurts the sentiments of the community being targeted. We hope you will not dare to denigrate Muslim or Christian faiths. However you are repeatedly hurting religious sentiments of Hindus as we are protesting peacefully.

In view of above we request you to cancel the show . Please acknowledge this protest letter and inform the action taken failing which we will be forced to intensify protest campaign and to take appropriate legal action against you.

From: Dharmesh Vyas
Subject: Request to cancel show - denigrating Hindu Religion / Gods
To: sjohn@starlitepavilion.com, rohan.narine@elliman.com
Date: Sunday, July 17, 2011, 3:48 PM

Dear Ms. Sharmin John,

Greeting for your good health and business !

We learned that you are showing film 'Sita sings the blues' at the Starlight Pavilion in New York next Thursday (21st July).

We would like to bring to your kind attention that 'Sita sings the blues' denigrates Hindus' revered scripture Ramayan and our god Shri Rama and Smt. Sita. All Hindus respect other religions and we never encourage or support insult of other religion / gods. We do visit Church with our all Catholic friends for mass prayers. We sincerely requesting you please cancel said shows. This is not ethical business practice.

Such shows will badly insult our gods as content of show, we know and it is very badly insulting our gods.

I hope you will support Hindu Religion in true spirit of ethical busniess practice. I am writing you this request e-mail with lot of respect and hope.

Kindly do the needful.

God bless you.

Best Regards,
Dharmesh Vyas
Mumbai, India

2) Protest by Mr. Dick Sharad and his family

From: Dick Sharad
To: sjohn@starlitepavilion.com
CC: rohan.narine@elliman.com
Subject: 'Sita Sings the Blues'
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:12:55 -0400

You certainly have the wildest, yet the meanest, imagination to go to such ridiculous length to develop this cartoon movie totally based on falsehood and untruths.  We wish you could put your creative talent to good use in heralding what is good in world literature, what is really good about Christianity-Jesus and the Lord.  What do you accomplish by presenting such filthy stuff to the world?  Do you realize how non-Christian this adventure of yours is?  Even anti-Hindu people will see through your poor anti-Hindu propaganda material as being in the poorest taste.
 
As an artist, we would imagine that you would have a good soul dedicated to an uplifting and inspirational message for your readers/viewers.  Indulge in creating interesting material worthy of being a good artist.  Take on the challenge of preparing a fine, truthful portrayal of the story told in the Ramayana.  Please do us all the favor of canceling the showing of the movie and withdrawing from the You Tube.
 
We wish your talent shines bright through presentations of rich, noble story telling.  Thank you very much.
 
Dick-Chitra-Neha-Neti-Alpa-Paresh-Isha Sharad