Shadow Puppets and Shadow Play in Javanese and Balinese Cultures

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Shadow Puppets and Shadow Play in Javanese and Balinese Cultures
Shadow puppets form an innate part of the Javanese and Balinese cultures in Indonesia. It is a form of folklore performance used to narrate stories. The dalang who is the puppet master narrates the story while controlling the figures CITATION The14 \l 1033 (Goberman). The master may also sing along as required by the piece being performed. Each character in a puppet play has a distinct role hence, have movable limbs to enhance movements. This aspect of shadow puppets promotes the liveliness of the play. The characters represent human characters or real actors whether animals or humans. Moreover, one person can control all the characters in a play. In addition, puppets exhibit the Indonesian culture. The hairstyles, headdresses and costumes and other costumes on most occasions represent the stylization and aesthetic aspects of the Balinese and Javanese cultural heritage.
The term shadow, in this case, indicates that the image of the real actor is portrayed on an illuminated backdrop that creates the illusion of moving images. Therefore, the action takes place behind the screen. In most instances, a puppet takes up a character as represented in the story. this involves the mode of dressing, talking, expressions and any other features meant to spice up the character in the story. It is easy to identify and understand a puppet’s character role through the visual aspects. Also, the puppet master can vary sounds and talk mode to suit each actor. Puppet characters also vary according to the materials used to make them. For instance, Wayang kulit purwa, wayang kulit gedog and Hanuman differ from each other from the appearance and role played. Moreover, the Javanese Wayang puppets have a big abstract shape while the Balinese shadow puppets are usually small and realistic in shape CITATION Ghu01 \l 1033 (Yousof).
Puppets also come in different shapes, sizes, and models. Therefore, it can be in a form of painting or a piece of sculpture. Consequently, it is a piece of art utilized in storytelling and performance. This makes shadow puppets or shadow play an all-around artwork.
Indonesia is home to four main clowns namely, wayang kulit purwa, wayang kulit golek, wayang madya and wayang siam. wayang kulit puppets are made of buffalo leather which can be painted red, blue, gold or green and performed on an illuminated cotton cloth, white in color. In wayang golek puppets are made of wood with paint and costumes manipulated with rods to create movable arms and heads CITATION The14 \l 1033 (Goberman).
The Java and Bali sculptures as represented by the four main clowns serve to enhance communal ethos, consolidate religion and enlighten people on current economic, political and economic issues of the country. Nonetheless, the moral purpose of the puppet plays is entertainment. Despite the differing features involved in creating the puppets, they serve common thematic relationships, performing techniques...