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Sita and Rama dancers kneel close together at Ramayana performance in Yogyakarta

Sita and Rama dance together close to the floor at a performance in Yogyakarta in July 1986. Sita's left hand is flexed back and upward, resting on her left knee.

Sita is in front, gazing sharply to the side with her bent legs hidden by her sarong skirt. Rama moves behind her with his left leg bent forward and to the side. Both wear gold crowns and sashes across their chests together with royal Yogyakarta pattern batik cloths wrapped around their waists.

Sita's upright pose and delicate hand gestures display her perfection as a woman. Rama's close approach suggests his love for Sita, but both figures gaze away from each other, representing their long separation during Sita's imprisonment by Ravana.

After Ravana is finally killed by Rama, Sita emerges from hiding. The couple feel awkward together, though, because they have been separated for many years.

<img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://statelibrarync.org/learnnc/sites/default/files/images/thai_rama_174.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Sita and Rama dancers kneel close together " title="Sita and Rama dancers kneel close together " />
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