Indonesian shadow
puppets are also known as Wayang Kulit. Wayang means puppet and kulit
means leather. The puppets made from animal skin, are flat, and are seen mainly
in profile. The head, legs and feet all face the same direction but the upper
torso is turned so that both shoulders can be seen. The limbs are elongated.
The puppets are decorated with details of facial features, head-dresses,
jewellery and clothes. The stage is formed by a wide linen sheet, stretched
between two vertical bamboo poles or set into a wooden frame. An oil lamp or
electric light is shone behind the screen and the puppeteer moves the puppets
between the light and the screen, casting a shadow where they block the light. The
stories are usually drawn from Indian Classic epics like ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’.
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