WAYANG (Puppet)
By Katamso KH
Wayang is a performance art that is originally from the land of Java. This show is estimated to have existed since 1500 BC. At the beginning, the puppets were made from grass and formed to resemble a human shape. The stories played in the puppet show vary, including folktales, legends and the stories of Gods. The story was staged not just to be entertainment for the community but has a wise message in it. As the time goesby, the type and story of wayang continues to develop. These types of puppets include shadow puppets, wayang golek puppets and people puppets. The glory of wayang which is part of the Indonesian heritage was recognized by Unesco as the Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 7 November 2003. Wayang as a traditional work has given much inspiration to Indonesian artists from the modern and contemporary eras. One of them is an artist named Katamso KH.