Shadow puppets

Shadow puppets

From Kompas

The wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performances broadcast on TV Sunday are interesting, even if they do not carry subtitles. But it's a shame there is no explanation of the dialog between the characters, including the jokes and verbal arguments, which would be beneficial to Indonesian viewers who are a blend of various ethnic groups.

It would also be a shame if other viewers switched to another channel because they could not understand the dialog.

Another problem concerns the camera angle. The camera often shoots from the puppeteer's angle, focusing mainly on the blencong (oil lamp) which actually spoils the performance.

When a war scene is going on, the camera focuses on the gamelan players and Javanese singers, meaning viewers are left to guess scenes of importance.

The camera crew should shoot from the front, and not from behind so viewers can follow the performance the traditional way, facing the screen.

Shooting of scenes should comprise 40 percent of the performance, while the rest of the time could be distributed among the puppeteer and other members on stage.

This would allow the puppeteer's skill to be clearly displayed and would emphasize the war effects by the light of the oil lamp as in Ki Manteb Sudarsono's creation.

MANUMPAK S.

Jakarta