"Wayang" is one of the ancient Indonesian cultures which hides etical teachings and constitutes a medium of communication capable of acting as an agent adjusting social life to the modern world of Indonesia. There are various kinds of wayangs in Indonesia witha its own uniquenees, but the most popular of all is the "Wayang Purwo".
Most of the wayang stories are drawn from the ancient Indian epics such as "Ramayana and Mahabarata", which hide a very high philosophical value, and make significant contribution to human life i.e.: The Pandawa brothers illustrate knights whit noble character, whereas Astina party, illustrate the deceitful and greedy party, from which people can learn what is good and what is bad in their life.
The wayang performance is animated by the accopaniment of the gamelan (javanese musical instrument), played by the niyagas (musicians) and the women singers pesinden. The dalan (leading artist) playes and important role in the entire performance. He speaks for all the puppets he uses, and must be able to change his voice to play the character of the puppets there-of, to make them as if they were alive.
The Wayang Purwo has been known world-wide for long time, even collections of the wayang puppets are found in western Museums.
At present there are foreign scholars and artist interested in wayang, who come to Indonesia to study in Jawa, not onlu the Wayang Kulit but also other kinds of wayangs and classical Javanese dances.
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