Wayang: The Indonesian Puppet Theater

1. “WAYANG” - The
Indonesian
Puppet Theater
By: Iwan Syahril

2. 2
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.
A
spiritual
ceremony

8. 8
An American Wayang
Experience

9. 9
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

14. “Thank you
for listening”
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