Setyawati launches book on 'Wayang'

JAKARTA (JP): Leather Gods and Wooden Heroes is the book launched by Dr. Edi Setyawati, Director General, Culture, from the Department of Education and Culture, and David Irvine, Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea here yesterday.

Written by David Irvine, and described as an important event in cultural relations between Australia and Indonesia, the book is about the traditional Javanese theater or Wayang Purwa, an important Indonesian art form.

It focuses on stories and characters of the leather shadow puppet theater of Central Java, though illustrations of the principle characters in the traditional three dimensional puppet style of West Java are also included.

Irvine is the first Australian to write a book on Wayang, and described it as a 'labor of love'. It took him five years to complete.

"I wrote Leather Gods and Wooden Heroes because a wise old Javanese gentleman once said to me you'd never understand anything about Java unless you understand the Wayang," said Irvine.

"And it's difficult to enter this world when you don't speak Javanese" he said.

Irvine looked around for books on Wayang in the mid 1970s, but was unable to find many. He finally discovered a book written by a well known Indonesian short story writer and translated it into English.

"I realized we needed something in English, so I deliberately tried to write a book, so English speaking people could learn about the Wayang," Irvine said.

"The great thing about this book is you don't have to read it cover to cover...You can delve into it, be introduced to the characters and find out different things about the puppets, as well as what the plots and themes of Wayang Purwa are" he said.

Chapters in the book cover topics such as the origins of Wayang Purwa; the epic stories of Wayang Purwa; the themes; the characters; the Javanese Wayang art forms, and Dalangs, Puppets and Music.

Irvine is optimistic about the future of Wayang Pura, and believes the art form will survive.

Leather Gods and Wooden Heroes will be available from all Times Editions bookstores and most Hotel bookstores, retailing for Rp 175 000.