Experts propose novel way to preserve 'wayang'<\/p>\n
Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
A multimedia expert has proposed that traditional puppeteers use
\nadvanced technology to attract the attention of younger
\ngenerations for Javanese puppet performances.<\/p>\n
Such innovation was essential to confront the declining
\npopularity of Javanese puppet performances among younger
\ngenerations, especially teenagers and children, said Roy Suryo.<\/p>\n
\"It's impossible to see children watch a whole shadow play
\nperformance nowadays, which usually last all night long. However,
\nif the wayang (puppet) characters are shown in cartoon or
\nanimated form, I'm sure they'll like it,\" said Roy who is related
\nto the Sultan of Yogyakarta. The sultanate is the center of
\nculture for Javanese.<\/p>\n
Roy, who attended a national puppet congress held in
\nYogyakarta last week, recalled that the opportunity for new
\ninnovation was there.<\/p>\n
He said that it was not difficult to create shadow plays in
\nanimated form due to the abundance of skilled human resources in
\nIndonesia. Indonesia has plenty of good animators and video game
\ncreators, but most of them work for foreign animation and cartoon
\ncompanies now.<\/p>\n
\"I'm sure with goodwill from the government, many parties
\nwould want to work together to realize this effort. If we're
\nserious, shadow puppet plays and wayang video games would be
\navailable on the Internet soon,\" added Roy.<\/p>\n
A puppeteer from Surabaya, East Java, Abdul Rauf, was of the
\nview that wayang presentations visualized through multimedia
\nwould be an effective way to revive the wayang.<\/p>\n
Wayang characters or stories could be presented in video
\ngames. If realized, Indonesian children would be reintroduced to
\ncharacters such as Gatotkaca or Bima, along with the
\nphilosophical messages they bring.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot deny that children spend a lot of time playing
\nvideo games now. So, why don't we create video games based on
\nwayang stories,\" said Rauf, who was immediately applauded by
\nhundreds of participants during the congress on Sept. 17.<\/p>\n
Head of research and development of the Indonesian Wayang
\nSecretariat (Sena Wangi), M Sulebar Soekarman, added that it was
\npossible that children would accept wayang in video game format.
\nHe said that a video game which comprised the tales of Bima Babat
\nAlas Wonomerto was being developed now, but unfortunately, it
\nwould only be distributed in Japan, Sweden and Australia, but not
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
They had yet to decide on the start of the collaboration, but
\nagreed that technological approaches should not alter the
\nsubstance of the wayang story, and that the dalang (puppeeter)
\nwould have full commission on the storyline and gamelan music
\ncomposition.<\/p>\n
The multimedia expert will be entrusted to visualize the
\nwayang into cartoon, video game or TV series format.<\/p>\n
Efforts to visualize wayang was important given that the art
\nhad to be preserved. In 2003, wayang was been recognized by the
\nUnited Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
\nas part of the world's cultural heritage.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/experts-propose-novel-way-to-preserve-wayang-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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