Ancient Indonesian Shadow Puppeteer Keeps Art Alive
- 14 years ago
An Indonesian puppeteer is keeping an age-old tradition alive. Shadow puppetry has a history of hundreds of years, but this man has added his own twist to the art.
Shadow puppet master Kajali has been performing this unique art in the village of Medaya for 46 years.
Shadow puppetry has been around for centuries and is usually accompanied by traditional music instruments and singers.
But, Kajali’s puppetry does not use any.
He developed this art in the early 1960’s when communist rule frowned upon artistic expression.
[Kajali, Puppet Master]: (male, Bahasa Indonesia) (combined the two soundbites)
"The main reason I don't use musical instruments or singers is because most areas of Serang were not allow to use them in the past. The story could be told only with puppets, then there was no problem. So I started performing without musical instruments or singers. I did it all myself, accompanied by some thin metal plates and my equipment box.”
Kajali does his own narration during the show. The stories he performs are mainly classic Hindu epics, delivered in the Banten-Sundanese dialect.
He also creates his own tales based on life experiences.
[Rina, Audience Member]: (female, Bahasa Indonesia)
“I like it very much because of the funny stories.”
[Khaeruddin, Audience Member]: (male, Bahasa Indonesia)
"Yes, I think it’s entertaining for the people; it is useful to give an insight into life and to have an understanding of history, too.”
Villagers hire Kajali for entertainment during particular ceremonies... like wedding or harvest ceremonies.
Known as Wayang, shadow puppetry is considered a highlight of the local culture.
Shadow puppet master Kajali has been performing this unique art in the village of Medaya for 46 years.
Shadow puppetry has been around for centuries and is usually accompanied by traditional music instruments and singers.
But, Kajali’s puppetry does not use any.
He developed this art in the early 1960’s when communist rule frowned upon artistic expression.
[Kajali, Puppet Master]: (male, Bahasa Indonesia) (combined the two soundbites)
"The main reason I don't use musical instruments or singers is because most areas of Serang were not allow to use them in the past. The story could be told only with puppets, then there was no problem. So I started performing without musical instruments or singers. I did it all myself, accompanied by some thin metal plates and my equipment box.”
Kajali does his own narration during the show. The stories he performs are mainly classic Hindu epics, delivered in the Banten-Sundanese dialect.
He also creates his own tales based on life experiences.
[Rina, Audience Member]: (female, Bahasa Indonesia)
“I like it very much because of the funny stories.”
[Khaeruddin, Audience Member]: (male, Bahasa Indonesia)
"Yes, I think it’s entertaining for the people; it is useful to give an insight into life and to have an understanding of history, too.”
Villagers hire Kajali for entertainment during particular ceremonies... like wedding or harvest ceremonies.
Known as Wayang, shadow puppetry is considered a highlight of the local culture.