What is wayang?

The following notes are intended for those who are unfamiliar with wayang.

Wayang kulit

Wayang kulit

Wayang kulit (kulit - leather) is the best known of the Javanese puppetry traditions and can be used to describe any puppet theatre using flat leather puppets which cast shadows on to a screen. The puppets are carved from buffalo hide and painted. As a general rule they have jointed arms, which are manipulated with horn sticks (tuding). The puppets are supported by another piece of horn (gapit) which is split down the middle with one half extending up each side of the figure. The puppets used in Java are highly stylised, which is thought to derive from the Islamic influence (which forbids literal representation of human figures) on the arts of Java. In Bali, which retained Hindu beliefs, the puppets are much more realistic. For more on Javanese puppets see Wayang Puppets by Tim Byard-Jones in the Seleh Notes Library. The most popular stories (lakon) are those based on episodes and characters from the great Indian epic poems - the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The performances follow a formalised dramatic structure and include humorous interludes featuring a number of clown characters. Traditionally a wayang takes place overnight, lasting approximately nine hours. A performance is given against a large screen, traditionally lit by an oil lamp. The dhalang (puppeteer) is in overall charge of the performance and not only voices all the puppets, but also sings and controls the musical accompaniment by means of a variety of cues. Traditionally wayang performances were accompanied by a gamelan wayang, a smaller gamelan with fewer saron, a small number of kenong and kempul and without bonang. Today a full gamelan is usually used and a wayang kulit performance is an exciting, colourful and typically Javanese event.

Wayang golek

Wayang golek Arjuna carved by Pa Momon of Soreang

Wayang golek are rod puppets which are unique to Sunda, the Western half of Java. They have intricately carved and painted wooden heads, jointed arms and elaborate costumes. Performances take place on a low, narrow wooden stage, behind which the dalang (puppeteer) sits. One story has it that they were invented by an Islamic ruler in the 16th century, and used to spread Islam by telling stories about the hero Amir Hamzah who was an uncle of Mohammed (the Menak cycles). Today they might be used to tell stories derived from the Mahabharata or, less often, the Ramayana. Traditionally wayang golek performances are accompanied by a small gamelan salendro although in recent years some of the best known dalang have experimented with using much larger instruments with an increased tonal range.

Alat muzik wayang kulit Rebana Asli, rebab, Gendang Silat, Gedombak, Canang, Serunai

Pengenalan Wayang Kulit Seni ini masyhur 1,000 tahun dahulu di kawasan negara Timur Tengah dan juga Asia Tenggara. Di Malaysia terdapat beberapa jenis wayang kulit. Wayang Kulit Melayu Kelantan dikatakan berasal dari Kemboja dan dibawa masuk melalui Patani, Selatan Thailand. Ceritanya berdasarkan Hikayat Ramayana dan penglipur lara tempatan. Watak-watak wayang kulit ini menggunakan loghat Kelantan. Antara watak penting ialah Hanuman, Sri Rama, Sita Dewi, Maharaja Rawana dan Laksamana. Wayang Kulit Jawa dikatakan berasal dari Wayang Kulit Purwa Jawa, Pulau Jawa, Indonesia. Patung-patungnya membawa watak dari cerita Mahabratha dan ceritacerita Panji. Wayang kulit ini diperkenalkan ke negeri Kelantan pada 1834 oleh seorang tok dalang Melayu selepas mempelajari teknik-teknik Tok Dalang di Pulau Jawa. Watak wayang kulit ini ialah Sang Kula, Raden Galoh Cendera Kirana, Arjuna, Sang Dewa dan Raden Inu Kartapati. Kemudiannya wayang kulit jenis ini mendapat perhatian ramai di Terengganu. Wayang Kulit Purwa terkenal di kawasan selatan Semenanjung Malaysia. Ia

menggunakan loghat Jawa. Wayang Gedek terkenal di Kedah dan Perlis. Ia menggunakan loghat utara (kedah-Perlis). Dua watak utama ialah Etong dan Ekau. Wayang jenis ini menggunakan patung yang berpakaian moden seperti kebaya pendek. Alat Muzik Persembahan wayang kulit diiringi oleh alat muzik Serunai, Gendang (ibu dan anak), Gedombak (ibu dan anak), Geduk (ibu dan anak) kesi, canang dan gong. Persembahan Wayang Kulit Tok Dalang merupakan orang terpenting dalam persembahan wayang kulit. Ia mengambil tempat duduk di belakang tabir pentas. Beliau akan menggerakkan patungpatung watak dan memberi suara dengan corak suara berbeza mengikut watak-watak yang dimainkan. Tok Dalang dibantu oleh Tukang Unjuk yang menyediakan patungpatung watak berdasarkan jalan cerita yang hendak disampaikan oleh Tok Dalang. Kayu Kasah ialah sejenis alat muzik yang digunakan untuk menghasilkan kesan bunyi semasa adegan pergaduhan. Patung-patung dicucuk di atas batang pisang. Bayang watak akan terhasil daripada

cahaya daripada pelita minyak kelapa atau mentol elektrik . Cerita wayang kulit biasanya mengambil masa yang panjang. Pada zaman dahulu ada kalanya satu cerita dihabiskan dalam masa 7 malam. Persembahan hari ini diringkaskan sehingga 1 atau 2 jam sahaja. Sebelum persembahan bermula, Tok Dalang akan membuat upacara ritual. Kemudian upacara membuka pentas pun dimulakan bertujuan memperkenalkan kumpulan wayang kulit dan watak-watak yang akan memainkan cerita yang hendak dipersembahkan. Membuat Patung Watak Wayang Kulit Watak asas wayang kulit dibuat daripada belulang lembu. Terlebih dahulu belulang direndam dalam air sebelum diregang supaya kulitnya rata. Watak dilukis terlebih dahulu kemudian ia dipahat supaya lubanglubang terbentuk untuk menghasilkan corak bayang di atas kelir (skrin) kelak. Patung belulang kemudian dikepit pada tetulang yang daripada buluh atau kayu, Bahagian atasnya dikepit menggunakan

rotan yang dibelah. Tali tangsi digunakan untuk mengikat tetulang pada belulang. Warna khusus menunjukkan watak tertentu. Hitam untuk watak lucu seperti Pak Dogol dan Wak Long, merah untuk watak bengis dan jahat. Warna hijau bagi pahlawan yang mulia (Sri Rama). Kuning untuk watak puteri.