From: "Daniel Wolf" <djwolf1-AT-axelero.hu>
Subject: PUPT: More on Balinese Wayang Skateboard 
Date: Mon, 19 May 2003 08:07:14 +0200


The following was posted on the Indonesian Performing Arts (Gamelan)list.


------------------

Wayang Kulit Kontemporer ³Dasa Nama Kerta²
Alias Wayang Skateboard




         On 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, 29 May 2003 at Natya Mandala Stage at
STSI, Jalan Nusa Indah in Denpasar, the contemporary shadow puppet play DASA
NAMA KERTA will be performed.   Conceptualized and actualized by I Made
Sidia of Bona, Gianyar, this new form of Wayang utilizes a wide screen, six
dalangs or puppeteers, power point computer generated images as scenery and
an orchestra consisting of gamelan instruments, a keyboard and African
percussion.   As the screen is so large, the dalangs are on skateboards so
they can whiz the puppets from one side of the screen to the other with
ease.



         The story of Dasa Nama Kerta tells of the God Siwa who changes his
form into the demonic Kala Ludra in order to be able to meet up with his
wife Durga, who has been cursed into a demoness to live on earth.  Together
with other demons, they wreak havoc upon the earth, burning down forests and
turning humans and animals against one another.  In the end, they are
distracted from their antics by the performances of the four main gods in
heaven:  Wisnu, Brahma, Iswara and Bayu who transform into dancers and a
puppeteer and entertain the demons, humans and animals.  The God Siwa then
realizes that his place is in heaven and he and Durga change back into their
god forms and return to Sorga.



         This is not a typical Wayang play.  There are embedded messages
about stress and depression that can occur after a trauma and what we can do
to help ourselves out of difficult situations.   This particular version on
May 29th is geared towards children between the ages of 10-16 (although it
can be enjoyed by all ages!)  and features many animal puppets.   The
burning of the forest has resulted in the animals losing their home.   They
begin to fight with each other but realize in the end that their true enemy
is the bhuta kala, or demons.   By working together, they are able to defeat
the demons.



This new shadow play was first created in November of last year after the
tragic bombing in Kuta as a public awareness campaign for post traumatic
stress disorder.    It was performed at a number of venues around the island
and taken into the high schools in Kuta.  This new version, funded by UNICEF
in collaboration with YKIP (Yayasan Kemanusian Ibu Pertiwi) is also being
performed all over Bali and being taken into a number of schools from SD to
SMA.
         This performance is open to the public and is FREE!



For further information, call 081 238 05623.


  --- Personal replies to: "Daniel Wolf" <djwolf1-AT-axelero.hu>
  --- List replies to:     puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  --- Admin commands to:   majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  --- Archives at:         http://lists.village.virginia.edu/~spoons