Reena Shah
Actor
About Reena Shah
Reena Shah is a contemporary voice actor known for her work in the animated film 'Sita Sings the Blues' (2008), which was created by Nina Paley. This film reimagines the Ramayana from Sita's perspective, incorporating 1920s jazz vocals by Annette Hanshaw. Shah provided voice work for this independent animated feature that blends traditional Indian mythology with modern animation techniques. The film gained recognition for its innovative approach to storytelling and its use of Creative Commons licensing. While this appears to be her most notable film credit, 'Sita Sings the Blues' itself became a cult classic in independent animation circles, though it does not fall within the classic cinema era of silent films or early talkies that the query references.
The Craft
Milestones
- Voice work in 'Sita Sings the Blues' (2008)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Reena Shah's contribution to 'Sita Sings the Blues' places her within the context of independent animation rather than classic cinema. The film itself became significant in animation circles for its innovative use of public domain music and Creative Commons licensing, influencing discussions about copyright in digital media. However, as a contemporary work from 2008, it falls outside the classic cinema era (silent era through Golden Age of Hollywood) that typically defines cultural impact in traditional film history.
Lasting Legacy
As a voice actor in a single notable independent film, Reena Shah's legacy in cinema history is primarily connected to 'Sita Sings the Blues' rather than the broader classic cinema canon. The film's impact lies in its role as an early example of open-source animation and its unique fusion of Eastern mythology with Western jazz culture, rather than as part of Golden Age Hollywood or silent film traditions.
Who They Inspired
Limited information is available about Reena Shah's broader influence on cinema, as her known work consists of voice acting in one independent animated film. The film itself influenced independent animation practices and discussions about intellectual property in digital media, but this falls outside the classic cinema framework specified in the query.
Did You Know?
- 'Sita Sings the Blues' was created entirely by Nina Paley over five years
- The film uses 1920s jazz recordings by Annette Hanshaw for Sita's musical numbers
- The film was released under a Creative Commons Share-Alike license
- Despite being animated in 2008, the film incorporates elements from the ancient Ramayana epic
- The film faced initial distribution challenges due to music licensing issues
- It became a cult favorite in independent animation circles
- The film blends multiple animation styles throughout its narrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Reena Shah?
Reena Shah is a voice actor known for her work in the 2008 animated film 'Sita Sings the Blues' by Nina Paley. Limited information is available about her other film work or career details.
What films is Reena Shah best known for?
Reena Shah is primarily known for her voice work in 'Sita Sings the Blues' (2008), an independent animated film that reimagines the Ramayana from Sita's perspective.
When was Reena Shah born and when did she die?
Birth and death information for Reena Shah is not readily available in public sources. Her known work dates from 2008.
What awards did Reena Shah win?
No specific awards or nominations for Reena Shah are documented in available sources, though 'Sita Sings the Blues' received recognition in independent animation circles.
What was Reena Shah's acting style?
Limited information is available about Reena Shah's specific acting style or techniques, as her documented work consists of voice acting in one independent animated feature.
Films
1 film
