Javanese Shadow puppets (Wayang kulit)

 

Javanese Shadow Puppet (Wayang kulit) is the traditional art of Indonesia, which is mainly developed in Java. Shadow puppets played by a puppeteer who is also the narrator's dialogue puppet figures, accompanied by gamelan music played by a group of nayaga and songs sung by the singer (sinden). Dalang behind the wayang kulit play screen, the screen is made of white cloth, while the electric lights flashed behind him or oil lamp (blencong), so that the spectators who were on the other side of the screen can see the shadow puppet that falls into the screen. In order to understand the story of wayang (play), the audience must have knowledge of the characters that shadow puppets on the screen.

In general, the puppet takes the story from the Mahabharata and Ramayana manuscript, but not be limited only by the grip (standard), the ki mastermind could also play a play carangan (composition). Some stories were taken from the Panji stories.

Leather puppet show has been recognized by UNESCO on November 7, 2003, as an amazing work culture in the field of narrative story and legacy of beautiful and valuable (Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity). Shadow puppets are more popular in central and eastern Java, while the puppetshow is more often played in West Java

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