Wayang Topeng

( , ) is a traditional form of puppet theatre play originating from the Indonesian island of Java. The term refers both to the show as a whole and the puppet in particular. Performances of wayang puppet theatre are accompanied by a ''gamelan'' orchestra in Java, and by '' gender wayang'' in Bali. The dramatic stories depict mythologies, such as episodes from the Hindu epics the ''Ramayana'' and the ''Mahabharata'', as well as local adaptations of cultural legends. Traditionally, a is played out in a ritualized midnight-to-dawn show by a , an artist and spiritual leader; people watch the show from both sides of the screen.

performances are still very popular among Indonesians, especially in the islands of Java and Bali. performances are usually held at certain rituals, certain ceremonies, certain events, and even tourist attractions. In ritual contexts, puppet shows are used for prayer rituals (held in temples in Bali), ritual (cleansing children from bad luck), and ritual (thanksgiving to God for the abundant crops). In the context of ceremonies, usually it is used to celebrate (Javanese wedding ceremony) and (circumcision ceremony). In events, it is used to celebrate Independence Day, the anniversaries of municipalities and companies, birthdays, commemorating certain days, and many more. Even in the modern era with the development of tourism activities, puppet shows are used as cultural tourism attractions.

traditions include acting, singing, music, drama, literature, painting, sculpture, carving, and symbolic arts. The traditions, which have continued to develop over more than a thousand years, are also a medium for information, preaching, education, philosophical understanding, and entertainment.

Etymology

The term is the Javanese word for 'shadow' or 'imagination'. The word's equivalent in Indonesian is . In modern daily Javanese and Indonesian vocabulary, can refer to the puppet itself or the whole puppet theatre performance. The term is used in the Javanese ''ngoko'' register and its equivalent is .

History

is the traditional puppet theatre of Indonesia. It is an ancient form of storytelling known for its elaborate puppets and complex musical styles. The earliest evidence of comes from medieval-era texts and archeological sites dating from late 1st millennium CE. There are four theories concerning where originated (indigenous to Java; Java–India; India; and China), but of these, two are more favored: Java and India.

Regardless of its origins, states Brandon, developed and matured into a Javanese phenomenon. There is no true contemporary puppet shadow artwork in either China or India that has the sophistication, depth, and creativity expressed in in Java, Indonesia. However, shadow play, the earliest form of shadow puppet theatre likely originated in Central Asia-China or in India in the 1st millennium BCE.Fan Pen Chen (2003)
Shadow Theaters of the World
Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 62, No. 1 (2003), pp. 25-64 By at least around 200 BCE, the figures on cloth seem to have been replaced with puppetry in Telugu Indian ''tholu bommalata'' shows. These are performed behind a thin screen with flat, jointed puppets made of colorfully painted transparent leather. The puppets are held close to the screen and lit from behind, while hands and arms are manipulated with attached canes and lower legs swinging freely from the knee.

Indigenous origin in Java

According to academic James R. Brandon, the puppets of are native to Java. He states is closely related to Javanese social culture and religious life, and presents parallel developments from ancient Indonesian culture, such as gamelan, the monetary system, metric forms, batik, astronomy, wet rice field agriculture, and government administration. He asserts that was not derived from any other type of shadow puppetry of mainland Asia, but was an indigenous creation of the Javanese. Indian puppets differ from , and all technical terms are Javanese, not Sanskrit. Similarly, some of the other technical terms used in the found in Java and Bali are based on local languages, even when the play overlaps with Buddhist or Hindu mythologies.

G. A. J. Hazeu also says that came from Java. The puppet structure, puppeteering techniques, and storytelling voices, language, and expressions are all composed according to old traditions. The technical design, the style, and the composition of the Javanese plays grew from the worship of ancestors.

J. Kats argues that the technical terms come from Java and that was born without the help of India. Before the 9th century, it belonged to the Javanese. It was closely related to religious practices, such as incense and night / wandering spirits. Panakawan uses a Javanese name, different from the Indian heroes.

A. C. Kruyt argues that originated from shamanism, and makes comparisons with ancient archipelago ceremonial forms which aim to contact the spirit world by presenting religious poetry praising the greatness of the soul.

Origin in India

Hinduism and Buddhism arrived on the Indonesian islands in the early centuries of the 1st millennium, and along with theology, the peoples of Indonesia and Indian subcontinent exchanged culture, architecture, and traded goods. Puppet arts and dramatic plays have been documented in ancient Indian texts, dated to the last centuries of the 1st millennium BCE and the early centuries of the Common Era. Further, the eastern coastal region of India (Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu), which most interacted with Indonesian islands, has had traditions of intricate, leather-based puppet arts called ''tholu bommalata'', ''tholpavakoothu'', and ''rabana chhaya'', which share many elements with .

Some characters such as the Vidusaka in Sanskrit drama and Semar in are very similar. Indian mythologies and characters from the Hindu epics feature in many major plays, which suggests possible Indian origins, or at least an influence in the pre-Islamic period of Indonesian history. Jivan Pani states that developed from two art forms from Odisha in eastern India: the Ravana Chhaya puppet theatre and the Chhau dance.

Records

The oldest known record concerning is from the 10th century. In 903 CE, the Dalinan charter was issued by King Balitung of the Sanjaya dynasty of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom. It describes a ''wayang'' performance: , which means 'Galigi held a puppet show, as service to the gods, telling the story of Bima Kumara'. It seems certain features of traditional puppet theatre have survived from that time. Galigi may have been an itinerant performer who was requested to perform for a special royal occasion. At that event he performed a story about the hero Bhima from the ''Mahabharata''.

Old Javanese inscription called Kuṭi, probably issued in the mid-10th century by Maharaja Sri Lokapala from East Java, mention three sorts of performers: (), (), and / (). is described in an 11th-century Javanese poem as a leather shadow figure.

Mpu Kanwa, the poet of Airlangga's court of the Kahuripan kingdom, writes in 1035 CE in his ''kakawin'' (narrative poem) ''Arjunawiwaha'', "", which means, "He is steadfast and just a screen away from the 'Mover of the World'." As is the Javanese word for the screen, the verse eloquently comparing actual life to a performance where the almighty (the mover of the world) as the ultimate (puppet master) is just a thin screen away from mortals. This reference to as shadow plays suggested that performance was already familiar in Airlangga's court and tradition had been established in Java, perhaps even earlier. Inscriptions from this period also mention some occupations as and .

is a unique form of theatre employing light and shadow. The puppets are crafted from buffalo hide and mounted on bamboo sticks. When held up behind a piece of white cloth, with an electric bulb or an oil lamp as the light source, shadows are cast on the screen. The plays are typically based on romantic tales and religious legends, especially adaptations of the classic Indian epics, the ''Mahabharata'' and the ''Ramayana''. Some of the plays are also based on local stories like Panji tales.

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Yogyakarta Midden-Java. Opvoering van Wajang Kulit spel met Gamelanbegeleiding ter gelegenheid van de vijftienjarige troonsverheffing van HB VIII in zijn oude huis op Sompilan 12 Ngasem TMnr 60043327.jpg, performance with gamelan accompaniment in the context of the appointment of the throne for Hamengkubuwono VIII's fifteen years in Yogyakarta, between 1900 and 1940
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een poppenspeler tijdens een wajang golek voorstelling TMnr 60031943.jpg, A (puppeteer) in a (wooden puppet) performance, between 1880 and 1910
File:KITLV 3953 - Kassian Céphas - Wayang beber performance of the desa Gelaran at the home of Dr. Wahidin Soedirohoesoedo at Yogyakarta in the middle Dr. GAJ Hazeu - Around 1902.tif, performance of the desa Gelaran at the home of Dr. Wahidin Soedirohoesodo at Yogyakarta; in the middle Dr. GAJ Hazeu, Dutch East Indies, in 1902

Art form

''Wayang kulit''

are without a doubt the best known of the Indonesian . means 'skin', and refers to the leather construction of the puppets that are carefully chiselled with fine tools, supported with carefully shaped buffalo horn handles and control rods, and painted in beautiful hues, including gold. The stories are usually drawn from the Hindu epics the ''Ramayana'' and the ''Mahabharata''.

There is a family of characters in Javanese called ''punokawan''; they are sometimes referred to as "clown-servants" because they normally are associated with the story's hero, and provide humorous and philosophical interludes. Semar is actually the god of love, who has consented to live on earth to help humans. He has three sons: Gareng (the eldest), Petruk (the middle), and Bagong (the youngest). These characters did not originate in the Hindu epics, but were added later. They provide something akin to a political cabaret, dealing with gossip and contemporary affairs.

The puppet figures themselves vary from place to place. In Central Java, the city of Surakarta (Solo) and city of Yogyakarta have the best-known traditions, and the most commonly imitated style of puppets. Regional styles of shadow puppets can also be found in Temanggung, West Java, Banyumas, Cirebon, Semarang, and East Java. Bali's are more compact and naturalistic figures, and Lombok has figures representing real people. Often modern-world objects as bicycles, automobiles, airplanes and ships will be added for comic effect, but for the most part the traditional puppet designs have changed little in the last 300 years.

Historically, the performance consisted of shadows cast by an oil lamp onto a cotton screen. Today, the source of light used in performance in Java is most often a halogen electric light, while Bali still uses the traditional firelight. Some modern forms of such as (from Bahasa Indonesia, since it uses the national language of Indonesian instead of Javanese) created in the Art Academy at Surakarta (STSI) employ theatrical spotlights, colored lights, contemporary music, and other innovations.

Making a figure that is suitable for a performance involves hand work that takes several weeks, with the artists working together in groups. They start from master models (typically on paper) which are traced out onto skin or parchment, providing the figures with an outline and with indications of any holes that will need to be cut (such as for the mouth or eyes). The figures are then smoothed, usually with a glass bottle, and primed. The structure is inspected and eventually the details are worked through. A further smoothing follows before individual painting, which is undertaken by yet another craftsman.

Finally, the movable parts (upper arms, lower arms with hands and the associated sticks for manipulation) mounted on the body, which has a central staff by which it is held. A crew makes up to ten figures at a time, typically completing that number over the course of a week. However, there is not strong continuing demand for the top skills of craftspersons and the relatively few experts still skilled at the art sometimes find it difficult to earn a satisfactory income.

The painting of less expensive puppets is handled expediently with a spray technique, using templates, and with a different person handling each color. Less expensive puppets, often sold to children during performances, are sometimes made on cardboard instead of leather.

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajang kulit pop voorstellende Kumbakarna. TMnr 8-276.jpg, Kumbakarna, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1914
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangfiguur van perkament voorstellende Gatot Kaca TMnr 8-273.jpg, Gatot Kaca, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1914
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangpop van karbouwenhuid voorstellende Wibisana TMnr 809-29a.jpg, Wibisana, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1933
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangpop TMnr 4833-101.jpg, Princess Shinta, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1983
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajang kulit pop voorstellende Yudhistira TMnr 8-264.jpg, Yudhishthira, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1914
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangfiguur voorstellende de hemelnymf Dewi Tari TMnr 883-13.jpg, Princess Tari, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1934

''Wayang golek''

are three-dimensional wooden rod puppets that are operated from below by a wooden rod that runs through the body to the head, and by sticks connected to the hands. The construction of the puppets contributes to their versatility, expressiveness and aptitude for imitating human dance. is mainly associated with the Sundanese culture of West Java. In Central Java, the wooden is also known as (), which originated from Kudus, Central Java.

Little is known for certain about the history of , but scholars have speculated that it most likely originated in China and arrived in Java sometime in the 17th century. Some of the oldest traditions of are from the north coast of Java in what is called the Pasisir region. This is home to some of the oldest Muslim kingdoms in Java and it is likely that the grew in popularity through telling the stories of Amir Hamza, the uncle of Muhammad. These stories are still widely performed in Kabumen, Tegal, and Jepara as , and in Cirebon, . Legends about the origins of the attribute their invention to the Muslim saint Wali Sunan Kudus, who used the medium to proselytize Muslim values.

In the 18th century, the tradition moved into the mountainous region of Priangan, West Java, where it eventually was used to tell stories of the ''Ramayana'' and the ''Mahabharata'' in a tradition now called , which can be found in Bandung, Bogor and Jakarta. The adoption of Javanese Mataram kejawen culture by Sundanese aristocrats was probably the remnant of Mataram influence over the Priangan region during the expansive reign of Sultan Agung. While the main characters from the ''Ramayana'' and ''Mahabharata'' are similar to versions from Central Java, some (servants or jesters) were rendered in Sundanese names and characteristics, such as Cepot or Astrajingga as Bagong, and Dawala or Udel as Petruk. has become the most popular form of today.

File:Cepot in wayang golek form, 2015-05-14 03.jpg, Cepot, a Sundanese Punokawan, Indonesia
File:Puppet (AM 2004.89.151-1).jpg, Rahwana, Indonesia in 2004
File:Puppet (AM 2004.89.149-1).jpg, Ramawijaya, Indonesia in 2004
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop voorstellende Gatot Kaca TMnr 4283-3.jpg, Gatot kaca, Indonesia in 2015
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop voorstellende de reus Kumbakarna TMnr 4283-8.jpg, Kumbakarna, Indonesia before 1976
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop voorstellende Draupadi TMnr 4283-70.jpg, Dewi Drupadi, Indonesia before 1976

''Wayang klitik''

() or () figures occupy a middle ground between the figures of and . They are constructed similarly to figures, but from thin pieces of wood instead of leather, and, like figures, are used as shadow puppets. A further similarity is that they are the same smaller size as figures. However, wood is more subject to breakage than leather. During battle scenes, figures often sustain considerable damage, much to the amusement of the public, but in a country in which before 1970 there were no adequate glues available, breakage generally meant an expensive, newly made figure. On this basis the figures, which are to appear in plays where they have to endure battle scenes, have leather arms. The name of these figures is onomotopaeic, from the sound () that these figures make when worked by the .

figures come originally from eastern Java, where one still finds workshops turning them out. They are less costly to produce than figures.

The origin of the stories involved in these puppet plays comes from the kingdoms of eastern Java: Jenggala, Kediri and Majapahit. From Jenggala and Kediri come the stories of Raden Panji and Cindelaras, which tells of the adventures of a pair of village youngsters with their fighting cocks. The ''Damarwulan'' presents the stories of a hero from Majapahit. Damarwulan is a clever chap, who with courage, aptitude, intelligence and the assistance of his young lover Anjasmara makes a surprise attack on the neighboring kingdom and brings down Minakjinggo, an ''Adipati'' (viceroy) of Blambangan and mighty enemy of Majapahit's beautiful queen Sri Ratu Kencanawungu. As a reward, Damarwulan is married to Kencanawungu and becomes king of Majapahit; he also takes Lady Anjasmara as a second wife. This story is full of love affairs and battles and is very popular with the public. The is liable to incorporate the latest local gossip and quarrels and work them into the play as comedy.

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wayang Kelitik pop Menak Jingga voorstellende TMnr 2255-6.jpg, Menak Jingga, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1953
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Platte houten wajangpop mogelijk Damar Wulan TMnr 809-30.jpg, Damar Wulan, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1933
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wayang Kelitik pop Menak Jingga voorstellende TMnr 1964-24.jpg, Demon, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1950
File:ZP 05 Batara Guru 02.jpg, Figure of Batara Guru
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop TMnr 5078-1.jpg, Duryudhana, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1986
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangpop voorstellend Raden Bratasena TMnr 195-43.jpg, Brathasena, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1986

''Wayang beber''

relies on scroll-painted presentations of the stories being told. has strong similarities to narratives in the form of illustrated ballads that were common at annual fairs in medieval and early modern Europe. They have also been subject to the same fate—they have nearly vanished, although there are still some groups of artists who support in places such as Surakarta (Solo) in Central Java.
Chinese visitors to Java during the 15th century described a storyteller who unrolled scrolls and told stories that made the audience laugh or cry. A few scrolls of images remain from those times, found today in museums. There are two sets, hand-painted on hand-made bark cloth, that are still owned by families who have inherited them from many generations ago, in Pacitan and Wonogiri, both villages in Central Java. Performances, mostly in small open-sided pavilions or auditoriums, take place according to the following pattern:

The gives a sign, the small gamelan orchestra with drummer and a few knobbed gongs and a musician with a (a violin-like instrument held vertically) begins to play, and the unrolls the first scroll of the story. Then, speaking and singing, he narrates the episode in more detail. In this manner, in the course of the evening he unrolls several scrolls one at a time. Each scene in the scrolls represents a story or part of a story. The content of the story typically stems from the Panji romances which are semi-historical legends set in the 12th–13th century East Javanese kingdoms of Jenggala, Daha and Kediri, and also in Bali.

File:Abb32,Gedompol.jpg, Final fight in alun-alun in Kediri, East Java. Tawang Alun kills Klana. Indonesia 17th century
File:Abb36,Gedompol.jpg, Princess Sekar Taji, mbok Kili (left), and Ganda Ripa or Panji (right) in the palace in Kediri, 17th century
File:Abb43,Geleran.jpg, Radèn Gunung Sari on horse says goodbye to his advisers Tratag and Gimeng before travelling to princess Kumuda Ningrat, 18th century
File:Abb17,Gedompol.jpg, Princess Sekar Taji and Panji meet in Paluhamba market, 17th century
File:Abb31,Gedompol.jpg, Princess Sekar Taji in palace garden approached by Klana, 17th century
File:Abb68;Gelaran.jpg, Competition between Panji Sepuh (left) and Jaya Puspita (right), 18th century

''Wayang wong''

, also known as (), is a type of Javanese theatrical performance wherein human characters imitate the movements of a puppet show. The show also integrates dance by the human characters into the dramatic performance. It typically shows episodes of the ''Ramayana'' or the ''Mahabharata''.

File:Wayang Wong Bharata Pandawa.jpg, Pandava and Krishna in a performance
File:Duryodana dalam pertunjukan wayang wong di Semarang, Jawa Tengah.jpg, King Duryodana in a performance in Taman Budaya Rahmat Saleh, Semarang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia
File:Pementasan Wayang Orang.jpg, Giants in a performance
File:Punakawan di Taman Budaya Rahmat Saleh, Semarang, Jawa Tengah.jpg, ''Punokawan'' in a performance
File:Rama dan Sinta.jpg, Rama and Shinta in a Ramayana Ballet performance
File:Wayang Orang Taman Sriwedari.jpg, Opening of performance, usually showing traditional Javanese dance

''Wayang topeng''

() or () theatrical performances take themes from the Panji cycle of stories from the kingdom of Janggala. The players wear masks known as or . The word comes from () which, like '' topeng'', means 'mask'.

centers on a love story about Princess Candra Kirana of Kediri and Raden Panji Asmarabangun, the legendary crown prince of Janggala. Candra Kirana was the incarnation of Dewi Ratih (the Hindu goddess of love) and Panji was an incarnation of Kamajaya (the Hindu god of love). Kirana's story has been given the title ''Smaradahana'' ("The fire of love"). At the end of the complicated story they finally marry and bring forth a son named Raja Putra. Originally, was performed only as an aristocratic entertainment in the palaces of Yogyakarta and Surakarta. In the course of time, it spread to become a popular and folk form as well.

File:Menari Topeng Malang.jpg, Dancing in Malang
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Studioportret van een groep wajang topeng spelers TMnr 60027221.jpg, Studio portrait of actors
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een wajang wong voorstelling bij de regent van Malang TMnr 10017908.jpg, Malang
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een wajang wong voorstelling TMnr 60018012.jpg, in Java
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Portret van een groep wajang wong spelers in de buitenlucht TMnr 60043366.jpg, in Java
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een wajang wong voorstelling aan het hof van de Sultan van Jogjakarta TMnr 60046822.jpg, in Java

Stories

characters are derived from several groups of stories and settings. The most popular and the most ancient is , whose story and characters were derived from the Indian Hindu epics the ''Ramayana'' and ''Mahabharata'', set in the ancient kingdoms of Hastinapura, Ayodhya, and Alengkapura (Lanka). Another group of characters is derived from the Panji cycle, natively developed in Java during the Kediri Kingdom; these stories are set in the twin Javanese kingdoms of Janggala and Panjalu (Kediri).

''Wayang purwa''

() refer to that are based on the Hindu epics the ''Ramayana'' and ''Mahabharata''. They are usually performed as , , and dance dramas.

In Central Java, popular characters include the following (Notopertomo & Jatirahayu 2001):

; Satriya
*Bima
*Arjuna
* Dursasana
*Nakula
* Sadewa
* Antareja
*Ghatotkaca
* Antasena
* Abimanyu
* Wisanggeni
* Irawan
*Sumantri
*Wibisana

;Raja
* Arjuna Sasrabahu
* Rama Wijaya
*Dasamuka
* Destarata
* Pandu Dewanata
*Subali and Sugriwa
* Barata
* Baladewa
* Duryudana
*Kresna
*Karna
* Yudhistira

; Dewa
*Sang Hyang Tunggal
*Sang Hyang Wenang
* Batara Narada
*Batara Guru
* Dewa Ruci
*Batara Indra
*Batara Surya
*Batara Wisnu
*Sang Hyang Nagaraja
* Lembu Andini
* Batara Ganesha

; Resi
* Anoman
*Bhisma
* Durna
* Rama Bargawa

; Putri
*Sinta
*Kunti
* Drupadi
* Sumbadra
* Srikandi

;Abdi
*Semar
* Gareng
*Petruk
* Bagong

; Raksasa
*Kumbakarna
* Sarpakanaka
* Indrajit Megananda
* Sukrasana
* Kalabendana
* Cakil

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangfiguur voorstellende Anggada TMnr 15-954-31.jpg, Anggada, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1900
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangfiguur voorstellende Jayadrata TMnr 15-954-23.jpg, Jayadrata, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1900
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangfiguur voorstellende Kendran TMnr 15-954-13.jpg, Kendran, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1900
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangfiguur voorstellende Sangruda TMnr 15-954-40.jpg, Sangruda, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1900
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangfiguur voorstellende Duryadana TMnr 15-954-91.jpg, Duryadana, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1900
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajangfiguur voorstellende Gatakaca TMnr 15-954-93.jpg, Gatakaca, Tropenmuseum collection, Indonesia, before 1900

''Wayang panji''

Derived from the Panji cycles, natively developed in Java during the Kediri Kingdom, the story set in the twin Javanese kingdoms of Janggala and Panjalu (Kediri). Its form of expressions are usually performed as () and dance dramas of Java and Bali.
*Raden Panji, alias Panji Asmoro Bangun, alias Panji Kuda Wanengpati, alias Inu Kertapati
*Galuh Chandra Kirana, alias Sekartaji
*Panji Semirang, alias Kuda Narawangsa, the male disguise of Princess Kirana
*Anggraeni

''Wayang Menak''

() is a cycle of puppet plays that feature the heroic exploits of Wong Agung Jayengrana, who is based on the 12th-century Muslim literary hero Amir Hamzah. stories have been performed in the islands of Java and Lombok in the Indonesian archipelago for several hundred years. They are predominantly performed in Java as , or wooden rod-puppets, but also can be found on Lombok as the shadow puppet tradition, . The tradition most likely originated along the north coast of Java under Chinese Muslim influences and spread East and South and is now most commonly found in the South Coastal region of Kabumen and Yogyakarta.

The word is a Javanese honorific title that is given to people who are recognized at court for their exemplary character even though they are not nobly born. Jayengrana is just such a character who inspires allegiance and devotion through his selfless modesty and his devotion to a monotheistic faith called the "Religion of Abraham." Jayengrana and his numerous followers do battle with the pagan faiths that threaten their peaceable realm of Koparman. The chief instigator of trouble is Pati Bestak, counselor to King Nuresewan, who goads pagan kings to capture Jayengrana's wife Dewi Munninggar. The pagan Kings eventually fail to capture her and either submit to Jayengrana and renounce their pagan faith or die swiftly in combat.

The literary figure of Amir Hamzah is loosely based on the historic person of Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib who was the paternal uncle of Muhammad. Hamzah was a fierce warrior who fought alongside Muhammad and died in the battle of Uhud in 624 CE. the literary tradition traveled from Persia to India and from then on to Southeast Asia where the court poet Yasadipura I (1729-1802) set down the epic in the Javanese language in the ''Serat Menak''.

The wooden is similar in shape to ; it is most prevalent on the northern coast of Central Java, especially the Kudus area.
* Wong Agung Jayengrana/Amir Ambyah/Amir Hamzah
* Prabu Nursewan
* Umar Maya
* Umar Madi
* Dewi Retna Muninggar

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop Amir Hamza alias Menak alias Jayengrana voorstellend TMnr 6148-5-4a.jpg, , Jayengrana, a collection from Tropenmuseum, the Netherlands, before 2003
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop Umarmaya voorstellende TMnr 6148-5-1a.jpg, , Umarmaya, a collection at Tropenmuseum, the Netherlands, before 2003
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop TMnr 6148-5-7.jpg, , Umarmadi, a collection at Tropenmuseum, the Netherlands, before 2003
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop TMnr 6148-5-5.jpg, , Jiweng, a collection at Tropenmuseum, the Netherlands, before 2003
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop TMnr 6148-5-6a.jpg, , Putri Murtinjung, a collection at Tropenmuseum, the Netherlands, before 2003
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop TMnr 6148-5-8a.jpg, , King Maktal (Albania), a collection at Tropenmuseum, the Netherlands, before 2003

''Wayang kancil''

() is a type of shadow puppet with the main character of () and other animal stories taken from '' Hitopadeça'' and ''Tantri Kamandaka''. was created by Sunan Giri at the end of the 15th century and is used as a medium for preaching Islam in Gresik. The story of is very popular with the children, has a humorous element, and can be used as a medium of education because the message conveyed through the media is very good for children. is not different from ; is also made from buffalo skin. Even the playing is not much different, accompanied by a gamelan. The language used by the puppeteer depends on the location of the performance and the type of audience. If the audience is a child, generally the puppeteer uses Javanese Ngoko in its entirety, but sometimes Krama Madya and Krama Inggil are inserted in human scenes.
The puppets are carved, painted, drawn realistically, and adapted to the puppet performance. The colors in the detail of the () are very interesting and varied. Figures depicted in the form of prey animals such as tigers, elephants, buffaloes, cows, reptiles, and fowl such as crocodiles, lizards, snakes, various types of birds, and other animals related to the tale. There are also human figures, including Pak Tani and Bu Tani, but there are not many human figures narrated. The total number of puppets is only about 100 pieces per set.

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajang Kantjil pop dwerghert TMnr 6189-5.jpg,
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajang Kantjil pop hond TMnr 6189-4.jpg,
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajang Kantjil pop tijger TMnr 6189-6.jpg,
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajang Kantjil pop krokodil TMnr 6189-7.jpg,
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajang Kantjil pop slak TMnr 6189-9.jpg,
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Wajang Kantjil pop dochter van de boer TMnr 6189-3.jpg,

Other stories

The historically popular typically is based on the Hindu epics the ''Mahabharata'' and the ''Ramayana''. In the 1960s, the Christian missionary effort adopted the art form to create (). The Javanese Jesuit Brother Timotheus L. Wignyosubroto used the show to communicate to the Javanese and other Indonesians the teachings of the Bible and of the Catholic Church in a manner accessible to the audience. Similarly, () has deployed for the religious teachings of Islam, while () has used it as a medium for national politics.

There have also been attempts to retell modern fiction with the art of , most famously ''Star Wars'' as done by Malaysians Tintuoy Chuo and Dalang Pak Dain.

Cultural context

Its initial function, is a ritual intended for ancestral spirits of the belief. Furthermore, undergoes a shift in role, namely as a medium for social communication. The plays that are performed in the , usually hold several values, such as education, culture, and teachings of philosophy. functions as an effective medium in conveying messages, information, and lessons. was used as an effective medium in spreading religions ranging from Hinduism to Islam. Because of the flexibility of puppets, they still exist today and are used for various purposes. functions can be grouped into three, namely:

''Tatanan'' (norms and values)

is a performance medium that can contain all aspects of human life. Human thoughts, whether related to ideology, politics, economy, social, culture, law, defense, and security, can be contained in . In the puppets contain order, namely a norm or convention that contains ethics (moral philosophy). These norms or conventions are agreed upon and used as guidelines for the mastermind artists. In the puppet show, there are rules of the game along with the procedures for puppetry and how to play the puppet, from generation to generation and tradition, over time it becomes something that is agreed upon as a guideline (convention).

is an educational medium that focuses on moral and character education. Character education is something that is urgent and fundamental; character education can form a person who has good behavior.

''Tuntunan'' (guidelines)

is a communicative medium in society. is used as a means of understanding a tradition, an approach to society, lighting, and disseminating values. as a medium for character education lies not only in the elements of the story, the stage, the instruments, and the art of puppetry, but also the embodiment of values in each character. The embodiment of characters can describe a person's character. From the puppet one can learn about leadership, courage, determination, honesty, and sincerity. Apart from that, the puppets can reflect the nature of anger, namely greed, jealousy, envy, cruelty, and ambition.

''Tontonan'' (entertainment)

puppet performances are a form of entertainment () for the community. performances in the form of theatre performances are still very popular especially in the islands of Java and Bali. Puppet shows are still the favorite of the community and are often included in TV, radio, YouTube, and other social media. performances present a variety of arts such as drama, music, dance, literary arts, and fine arts. Dialogue between characters, narrative expressions (, , ), , , , and are important elements in performances.

Artist

Dalang

The , sometimes referred to as or , is the puppeteer behind the performance. It is he who sits behind the screen, sings and narrates the dialogues of different characters of the story. With a traditional orchestra in the background to provide a resonant melody and its conventional rhythm, the ''dalang'' modulates his voice to create suspense, thus heightening the drama. Invariably, the play climaxes with the triumph of good over evil. The is highly respected in Indonesian culture for his knowledge, art and as a spiritual person capable of bringing to life the spiritual stories in the religious epics.

The figures of the are also present in the paintings of that time, for example, the roof murals of the courtroom in Klungkung, Bali. They are still present in traditional Balinese painting today. The figures are painted, flat (5 to at most 15 mm — about half an inch — thick) woodcarvings with movable arms. The head is solidly attached to the body. can be used to perform puppet plays either during the day or at night. This type of is relatively rare.

today is both the most ancient and the most popular form of puppet theatre in the world. Hundreds of people will stay up all night long to watch the superstar performers, , who command extravagant fees and are international celebrities. Some of the most famous in recent history are Ki Nartosabdho, Ki Anom Suroto, Ki Asep Sunandar Sunarya, Ki Sugino, and Ki Manteb Sudarsono.

''Sindhen''

or (from Javanese) is the term for a woman who sings to accompany a gamelan orchestra, generally as the sole singer. A good singer must have extensive communication skills and good vocal skills as well as the ability to sing many songs. The title ''Sinden'' comes from the word which means 'rich in songs' or 'who sing the song'. can be interpreted as someone singing a song. In addition, is also commonly referred to as which is taken from a combination of the words and . The word itself means 'someone who is female' and which means 'itself'; in ancient times, the was the only woman in the or performance.

''Wiyaga''

is a term in the musical arts which means a group of people who have special skills playing the gamelan, especially in accompanying traditional ceremonies and performing arts. is also called or which means 'gamelan musician'.

Legacy

UNESCO designation

UNESCO designated – the flat leather shadow puppet (), the flat wooden puppet (), and the three-dimensional wooden puppet () theatre, as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 7 November 2003. In return for the acknowledgment, UNESCO required Indonesians to preserve the tradition.

Wayang Museum

The Wayang Museum is an Indonesian museum on the history of puppetry. The museum has various types of Indonesian collections such as , , , , and . There is also a collection of masks (), gamelan, and paintings. The collections are not only from Indonesia, but there are many collections of puppets from various countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Suriname, China, Vietnam, France, India, Turkey.

The Wayang Museum is located in Kota Tua Jakarta near the Jakarta History Museum.

Gallery

File:Wayang Painting of Bharatayudha Battle.jpg, glass painting depiction of Bharatayudha battle.
File:Gong Chimes and percussion, Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, Arizona.jpg, A set and a gamelan ensemble collection, Indonesia section at the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, Arizona, United States.
File:SANG DALANG.jpg, A show in Java, Indonesia, presenting a puppet.
File:Dalang.jpg, (3D wooden puppet), Gatot Kaca, Indonesia in 2017.
File:Wayang Golek Sunda PRJ 1.jpg, Sundanese (3D wooden puppet), Indonesia.
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een wajang kelitik voorstelling met gamelanorkest in Ngandong TMnr 60023519.jpg, A (flat wooden puppet) performance with a gamelan orchestra in Ngandong, Java, in 1918.
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een gamelanorkest begeleidt het schaduwpoppenspel Wajang koelit. TMnr 60003354.jpg, (shadow puppet show) accompanied by a gamelan ensemble in Java, .
File:Wayang (shadow puppets) from central Java, a scene from 'Irawan's Wedding'.jpg, (shadow puppets) from central Java, a scene from '' Irawan's Wedding'', mid-20th century, University of Hawaii Dept. of Theater and Dance.
File:Wayang Beber Opened.jpg, depiction of a battle.
File:Wayangan (259).jpg, and (puppeteer), Ki Entus Susmono.
File:Sisi Lain Seorang Dalang.jpg, performance in Yogyakarta.
File:Wayang show.jpg, (leather shadow puppet) performance.
File:Wayang Kulit; Kayonan (tree of life), Arjuna and Sumbadra from Java.JPG, Kayon ( Gunungan).
File:Costume dolls of Makassar couple.jpg,

See also

* Culture of Indonesia
* Javanese culture

References

Sources

*

Further reading

*

* Brandon, James (1970). ''On Thrones of Gold — Three Javanese Shadow Plays''. Harvard.
* Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof (1994). ''Dictionary of Traditional South-East Asian Theatre''. Oxford University Press.
* Clara van Groenendael, Victoria (1985). ''The Dalang Behind the Wayang''. Dordrecht, Foris.
* Keeler, Ward (1987). ''Javanese Shadow Plays, Javanese Selves''. Princeton University Press.
* Keeler, Ward (1992). ''Javanese Shadow Puppets''. OUP.
* Long, Roger (1982). ''Javanese shadow theatre: Movement and characterization in Ngayogyakarta wayang kulit''. Umi Research Press.
* Mellema, R.L. (1988). ''Wayang Puppets: Carving, Colouring, Symbolism''. Amsterdam, Royal Tropical Institute, Bulletin 315.
* Mudjanattistomo (1976). ''Pedhalangan Ngayogyakarta''. Yogyakarta (in Javanese).
* Poplawska, Marzanna (2004). ''Asian Theatre Journal''. Vol. 21, p. 194–202.
* Signell, Karl (1996). ''Shadow Music of Java''. CD booklet. Rounder Records CD 5060.
* Soedarsono (1984). ''Wayang Wong''. Yogyakarta, Gadjah Mada University Press.

External links

Historical Development of Puppetry: Scenic Shades (includes information about wayang beber, kulit, klitik and golek)


* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20041104025934/http://www.indonesiatourism.go.id/gallery/traddance.htm Wayang Orang (wayang wong) traditional dance, from Indonesia Tourism
Wayang Klitik: a permanent exhibit of Puppetry Arts Museum

Wayang Golek Photo Gallery, includes description, history and photographs of individual puppets by Walter O. Koenig

Wayang Kulit: The Art form of the Balinese Shadow Play
by Lisa Gold

Wayang Puppet Theatre
on the Indonesian site of UNESCO

The Wayang Golek Wooden Stick Puppets of Java, Indonesia
(commercial site)


* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20090429070314/http://www.internationalfolkart.org/exhibitions/dancingshadows.html Wayang Kulit exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art
Wayang Kulit Collection of Shadow Puppets, Simon Fraser University Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology digitized on Multicultural Canada website

Contemporary Wayang Archive, by the National University of Singapore

Wayang Kontemporer, an interactive PhD dissertation on Contemporary Wayang Archive

{{Indonesian drama and theatre

Culture of Indonesia
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Traditional drama and theatre of Indonesia
Indonesian words and phrases
Theatre of Indonesia