Wayang Kulit:Shadow plays of Bali and Java

Elements of a Wayang Kulit Show

Puppeteer(Dalang)

Front

Elements of a Wayang Kulit Show

Puppeteer(Dalang)

Puppets

Back

"The Dalang tells the story, manipulates all the figures, interprets characters and voices for each, and produces sound effects punctuating speech and movement. The Dalang also sings, cues the musical accompaniment, speaks several languages, and blesses the performance and surrounding area with mantras." www.balibeyond.com

Wayang Kulit puppets are made from:

Water Buffalo leather

Sanded

Next, the leather is:

Carved

Painted

and Gold Leaf is applied

The gunungan (gunung, mountain) or kayanon (forest) is the most important part of the show. It is used to signal the beginning and the end of the performance.

The gunungan is placed in the center of the screen before the drama begins, separating the opposed groups of characters that lie to the right and left of the dalang.

The gunungan is placed in the center of the screen before the drama begins, separating the opposed groups of characters that lie to the right and left of the dalang.

Just (Good)

Unjust (Bad)

Characters with narrow eyes are refined and elegant. Those with wide eyes are more down to earth.

If you were a Wayang Kulit puppet, what would your eyes look like?

Over the head of the dalang there is a special brass oil lamp (blencong) often shaped like the mythical bird Garuda. The light shining from the lamp on the head of the dalang – and making possible the projection of the shadow of the puppets on the screen – represents the divine light infused through the upper chakra in the dalang (intermediary between gods and humans).

The Garuda (Sanskrit: Garuḍa गरुड, eagle; Pāli Garuḷa) is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist religion.

The Ramayana is a popular story to tell with shadow puppets. Here are some of the characters from the Ramayana:

Garuda

Rama

Sita

Hanuman

Raksasa

Ravana

Why not write your own story and perform with puppets you made

yourself?