History of Wayang in Central Java

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Puppet history in Indonesia
Shadow puppets are a traditional Indonesian arts are mainly developed in Java. Wayang comes from Ma Hyang meaning toward the almighty one,. Shadow puppets played by a puppeteer who is also the narrator's dialogue puppet figures, accompanied by gamelan music played by a group of nayaga and songs sung by the singer. Mastermind behind the shadow puppet play screen, the screen is made of white cloth, while the electric lights flashed behind him or oil lamps (blencong), so that the audience is on the other side of the screen to see the shadow puppets that fall into the screen. To understand the story of wayang (play), the audience must have knowledge of puppet characters whose image appears on the screen.
In general, the puppet takes the story from the Mahabharata and Ramayana manuscript, but not limited to the grip (standard), the ki mastermind could also play the play carangan (composition). Some of the stories were taken from the Panji stories.
Puppet show 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). Shadow puppets are more popular in central and eastern Java, while the puppet show often played in West Java.
Origin
Regarding the origin of this puppet, in the world there are two opinions. First, the idea that puppets originated and was first born on the island of Java, precisely in East Java. This opinion besides embraced and advanced by researchers and experts in Indonesia, also the research scholars of the West. Among Western scholars who belong to this group, is Hazeau, Brandes, Kats, Rentse, and Kruyt.

The reason they are strong enough. Among other things, that the art of puppet is very closely related to sociocultural and religious state of Indonesia, especially Java. Panakawan, the most significant figures in the puppet, namely Semar, Gareng, Petruk, Bagong, only in Indonesian puppet, and not in other countries. In addition, names and technical terms puppet, all derived from the Javanese (Kuna), and no other language.
In the meantime, a second opinion suspected puppets from India, brought together by the Hindu religion to Indonesia. They include Pischel, Hidding, Krom, Poensen, Goslings, and Rassers. Most of the latter group is the British scholar, the European country that once colonized India.
However, since the 1950's, the books seemed to have agreed that wayang puppets originated from Java, and not at all imported from other countries.
Puppet culture in Indonesia is estimated to have been born at least in the reign of King Airlangga, king Kahuripan (976 -1012), ie when the kingdom in East Java that was prosperous prosperous. Literary works which are the puppet story was written by the poet Indonesia since centuries X. Among other things, the text of the Book of the Ramayana literature Kakawin Old Javanese language written in the reign of Dyah Balitung (989-910), which is a spin-off of the book of Ramayana written by Indian poet Valmiki. Furthermore, the Javanese poet no longer just translating the Ramayana and Mahabharata into Old Javanese language, but compose and retelling Javanese philosophy by incorporating into it. For example, the work of the professor Kanwa Arjunawiwaha Kakawin, which is a composition that berinduk the Book of Mahabharata. Another spin-off of the more obvious the difference between the original version of the story derigan India, is Baratayuda Kakawin work professor and professor Panuluh Sedah. Great work was done during the reign of King Jayabaya, king of Kediri (1130-1160).
Puppet as a performance and spectacle had been started there since the reign of king Airlangga. Some of the inscriptions that were made at that time, among others already mentioned the words "mawayang 'and` aringgit' which means that the puppet show.
Regarding the birth culture of puppets, Ir. Sri Mulyono in his symbolism and mysticism in the Puppet (1979), estimate the puppet has existed since Neolithic times, which is approximately 1,500 years before Christ. His opinion was based on the writings Robert von Heine-Geldern Ph.. D, Prehistoric Research in the Netherland Indies (1945) and Prof. writing. K.A.H. Hidding in Indonesian Encyclopedia page 987.
The word `puppet 'probably derived from the word` wewayangan', which means shadow. This assumption is consistent with the fact the Wayang performance that uses color, a piece of cloth as a barrier between the puppeteer who plays the puppet, and the audience was behind the curtain. The audience just watched the puppet movements through the shadows falling on the screen. At that time only the wayang accompanied by a simple set of gamelan consist of saron, he argued (a type of flute), and kemanak. Other types of gamelan and singer at that time believed no.
For more menjawakan puppet culture, since the early days of the Majapahit Kingdom introduced another puppet story was not berinduk the Book of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Since then ceritacerita Flag; namely the story of the ancestral kings of Majapahit, was introduced as one form of another puppet. Panji story was later used more for show Wayang Beber. Tradition menjawakan puppet story also forwarded by some Islamic scholars, among them by the Wali Sanga. They began mewayangkan story of the king of Majapahit, among Damarwulan story.
Introduction of Islam to Indonesia since the 15th century was also a big influence on the culture of puppets, especially the religious concept of philosophy puppet. At the beginning of the 15th century, the time of the kingdom of Demak, began to use specially shaped oil lamps called blencong the Puppet performances.
Since time Kartasura, composing wayang berinduk the Ramayana and Mahabharata increasingly distant from the original. Since the time that the fans get to know the genealogy of wayang puppet characters, including gods figure, which originated from the Prophet Adam. Sisilah it continues to come to the kings of Java. And further, from the well known puppet stories grip. appropriate standards of the story, and the story of the puppet carangan beyond the standard line. Other than that there's more drama called splinter, which was too far out of the story grip.
Indeed, because so strong puppet art is rooted in the culture of Indonesia, so there was some confusion between the wayang stories, legends, and history. If the Indians think that the story of Mahabharata and Ramayana actually occurred in the country, regarded Javanese wayang story actually happened on the island of Java.
And in the Kulonprogo own puppet still very interested by all circles. Not only parents, but also teenagers and even young children have also been great to see a puppet show. Besides puppet also commonly used in certain events in the region Kulonprogo, both in urban areas or in rural areas Wates in Kulonprogo.