“WAYANG” - The Indonesian Puppet Theater

By: Iwan Syahril

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Indonesia

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Types of Wayang

• Wayang Kulit

• Wayang Golek

• Wayang Wong

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• Wayang began as a ceremony for calling departed spirits.

• Adapted as a tool for performances in the ninth and tenth centuries to present the great Ramayana and Mahabharata epics.

• Evolved further in the Middle Ages to educate audiences on Islamic themes

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Main Concepts

• Alus & Kasar– Pure, refined, civilized

– Impolite, rough, uncivilized

• Lahir & Batin– Outer realm– Inner realm

• Rasa– Feeling from within

and without; implicit meanings

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Forms and meanings• Personality types are reflected in stature,

body shape, form of the eyes, and colors; while social standing is reflected in the clothing and ornaments.

• Colors are based on the ancient cosmological meanings:– Black -> maturity, tranquility – Red -> uncontrolled passions– Yellow & gold -> dignity– White -> noble lineage, youth, beauty

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A dalang is usually highly respected & is often believed to possess supernatural qualities.

Aspiritual

ceremony

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An American Wayang Experience

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A creative wayang performance

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Arjuna: The handsome, powerful,and skillful warrior.

The Punakawan: The clowns but very wise and powerful.

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SEMAR

Batik with Kampuh Polong patterns symbolizing 4 kinds of lust:

1. Anger (red)2. Greed (blue)3. Desire to eat and sleep

(black)

4. Having no desire (white)

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� Wayang, one of the Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (UNESCO, 2003)

Wayang Rocks!

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WAYANG DISCO

WAYANG DUET

“Thank you for listening”

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