Reading 2

 Bhatara guru, one of  god characters in the wayang kulit

Wayang kulit is a traditional  Indonesia art which is mainly developed in Java. Wayang comes from the word Ma Hyang means toward the almighty one. Wayang kulit played by a Puppeteer (Dalang in Indonesia) who is also the narrator's dialogue puppet characters, accompanied by gamelan music played by a group of nayaga and song sung by the singer. Puppeteer plays puppet  behind the curtain, the screen is made of white cloth, while behind him flashed an electric lamp or lamp oil (blencong), so the audience on the other side of the screen can see the shadow puppet who falls into the screen. To be able to understand the story of wayang (the play), the audience must have knowledge of the puppet characters whose image appears on the screen.

Generally puppet took the story from the Mahabharata and Ramayana manuscript, but not be limited only by the grip (standard), the Puppeteer  can also play the play puppeteer essay (composition). Some of the stories taken from the Panji stories.

Wayang kulit  has been recognized by UNESCO on November 7, 2003, as the work of an amazing culture in the field of narrative story and legacy of beautiful and valuable (Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity). Wayang kulit are more popular in central and eastern Java, while it show is more often played in West Java.