President gives award to puppeteer

SOLO, Central Java : A senior puppeteer from Wonogiri, Central Java, Ki Warsino Guno Sukasno, received the Satya Lencana Kebudayaan medal from President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Saturday for his unceasing dedication to puppetry.

Ki Warsono, the only Surakarta-style puppeteer still alive, has taught many younger puppeteers his techniques. His students include the famous Ki Manteb Sudharsono, Ki Anom Suroto and Ki Jlitheng Suparman.

The 84-year-old puppeteer still performs shadow puppet shows, but only as part of special rituals such as the ruwatan (an exorcism ritual in Javanese culture). -- Antara.