#HHG11: Malaysian Traditional Wayang Kulit
Wayang Kulit is a shadow play entertainment cum a traditional theater that brings the playfulness and charming simplicity of a puppet shadow play behind a semi-transparent white cloth which acts as a screen. The puppet figures are silhouetted onto the screen with an oil lamp/light bulb as the light source. The play can last several hours.
The puppets are produced from a sculpture made from a handmade cowhide which is carved delicately and hand painted. Each puppet has its own special character, and has a jointed and jointed arm. Here, it is most popular in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in Kelantan, the heartland of Wayang Kulit, where it took root more than 250 years ago. Today, however, urbanisation and modern entertainment have led to a decline in its popularity.
Although its origin remains a mystery, It is said that over 250 years ago, the Kelantan Malay Wayang Kulit came from Cambodia and was brought into Malaysia through Pattani, Southern Thailand. The stories are traditionally based on the Hindu epics of the Hikayat Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The Wayang Kulit play uses Malay Kelantanese dialect. Tok Dalang begins by introducing the main characters; Maharaja Wana (Emperor Rawana), Sri Rama (Rama), Siti Dewa (Sita), the Laksamana (Admiral) and the court jesters, Pak Dogol and Wak Long.
The Master Narrator is called Tok Dalang that sits behind the screen and narrates the story. The play will be accompanied by a traditional gamelan orchestra of a group of musicians in the background that provides the classical music. Tok Dalang play his character simultaneously while he modulates his voice to create suspense that heightens the drama play. At the end of the play, will always be the triumph of good over evil.
The Play
During a performance, the Tok Dalang sits behind a semi-transparent white cloth which acts as a screen. The puppet figures are silhouetted onto the screen with an oil lamp/light bulb as the light source. The play can last several hours.
Backstage
Wayang Kulit show backed by traditional Gamelan musicians
Each puppet characters was carved as a stylized exaggeration of the human shape and is given a distinctive appearance, all with different traits and mannerisms, in a performance.
About the Wayang Kulit Master Narrator - Tok Dalang Pok Chu
There are many Tok Dalang (Master Narrator) in Malaysia but Pok Chu is special. Why? Pok Chu (aged 56) is a Chinese? That's very unique, because normally Malays will always be the master of this Shadow Play. Pok Chu lives in Kampung Pasir Parit, Chetok, Pasir Mas Kelantan. Pok Chu's real name is Eyo Hock Seng. He is the only Malaysian Chinese that was ranked as Master at par with his Malay peers after 30 years of dedication to the Kelantan Traditional arts. He conducts his Wayang Kulit shows at a makeshift stage in front of his house, tucked in a remote section of the village.
Pok Chu speaks the Kelantanese dialect (A Malay dialect of one of the Malaysian state) fluently as well as the local version of Hokkien. He is considered strange by many as he can speak the Kelantanese dilect very fluently. He was raised in a strong Malay culture environment. He studied in a Malay school, mixed with Malay friends and ate Malay food. He doesn't even know how to use chopsticks. He is the fourth-generation Chinese Kelantanese of his family and his whole family speaks Malay at home and only speak their mother tongue on rare occasions.
Video on Wayang Kulit play
Check out this video below on the playing of Wayang Kulit by the famous Narrator Master Pok Chu.
Source
That's all for now, I hope you enjoyed reading about Malaysian Culture. This post was specially made for the Hello Hello Group #HHG11 - Culture & Tradition Challenge.
Always remember your roots, your culture and tradition as they represent your identity ~ @ainie.kashif.
Take care and Stay Blessed!
Yours truly,
Hi @ainie.kashif, its sad what modern lifestyle is doing to our cultural heritage. This post reminds me about my earliest memories of Malaysia, when I used to visit the library as a child. These are the pictures I would find and read about. That was when the world was a much bigger place.
Hi @rlt47, yes it's sad that the tradition has been the thing in the past. The younger generations have been drifting themselves far into the modern colonialism and capitalism. The tradition parts remain has been slowly sinking to a place in historical books.
Oh my Ainie, this is wonderful. I'm not familiar with this art form at all, but it does have that air of nostalgia to it. The feel of a dying art. Your guys are so correct it's a tad bit sad!
Hi Philinda, yes it's sad. The only way to keep it alive, it's our duty as a blogger to blog about it to create an awareness of the dying art. Hopefully, with our support in the blogging world, the tradition stays alive for as long as it can.
Ainie, I think you correct in this statement. We must keep the awareness going so we can inspire a new generation to take the baton going forward.
Yes Philinda, that's the spirit :D and Have a pleasant day!
You're welcome Ainie. :)
Interesting theater. One person does make a presentation for many people. Interesting culture. Thank you for introducing the cultural traditions of other nations!
Hi @irinal, you are most welcome and thank you for reading. Stay Blessed and Steem On!
amazing photography
Thanks @rabeel for the kind support, take care and Stay Blessed :D
Yes, the shadow play characters are from Ramayan and Mahabharat, much similarities in Hindu culture. Ram, Laksman, Sita, and Rawan. Lovely post Ainie. Take care and stay blessed!
Hi Shanu, as I said before, we have such a big influence in our culture and tradition from your country. Take care and Stay Blessed too :D
Yes, Ofcourse Ainie, you are right. Take care
How magnificent. I had read something about Wayang Kulit, but you explained it very well. I like very much that you share about your culture, it is always good to learn.
Hi @rosargelisperez, I am happy you like to read about my culture and thanks for visiting. Stay Blessed and Steem On!
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