Wayang is an Indonesian word that refers to both puppet theatre and shadow or imagination and also connotates spirit. Wayang Kulit are the shadow puppets. Kulit means skin and refers to their carefully and intricately crafted leather hide.
The purpose of shadow plays is to educate and amuse. Javanese Wayang has an entire family of characters called Punakawan, or clown servants associated with the story's hero who provide philosphical and comical interludes. Though good always triumphs, evil is never destroyed as in Hindu thought they are parts of a balanced whole.
The puppets are believed to have profound spiritual power that the dalang, or puppet master, can invoke by bringing them to life. He tells storys, plays music and performs sacred rituals through his two-dimensional puppets, which he also creates.
Sources
• Wikipedia - Wayang
• Wayang Kulit
To take home this lovely Wayang plaque created by Shanti Ashoka,
copy the codes in the textarea box and paste them onto your homesite.
|
Posted Oct 24, 2006 - 05:13 , Last Edited: Oct 24, 2006 - 05:39
|
