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Malang children may save fading art of 'wayang kulit'
The Taruna Krida Rasa art studio gives lessons on the arts of pedalangan wayang kulit (leather-figure puppetry), sinden and gamelan every Friday at its building. Available for free, the students vary from children and teenagers to adults. Those who want to pay for the lessons can contribute as much or as little as they like.
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A child puppet master closes his eyes while performing. (JP/Aman Rochman)
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mid the congested traffic on Jl. Majapahit, passersby can faintly hear the sound of gamelan music coming from the Malang Arts Council (DKM) building.
The classic Javanese songs were performed by a group of sinden (a gamelan orchestra singers) consisting of children and teenagers of the Taruna Krida Rasa art studio as part of the annual dalang (puppet master) parade.
"This year's parade is joined by 16 dalang cilik [child puppeteers] who have been studying at the studio for at least one year," said dalang trainer Suwarno, 62, in Malang, East Java, on Oct. 26.
The Taruna Krida Rasa art studio gives lessons on the arts of pedalangan wayang kulit (leather-figure puppetry), sinden and gamelan every Friday at its building. Available for free, the students vary from children and teenagers to adults. Those who want to pay for the lessons can contribute as much or as little as they like.
The parade of dalang, themed Strengthening Culture and Reach for Love, was performed in two sessions. The first session from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. featured dalang cilik, while the second session from 7 p.m. until finish was designated for adults.
Read also: Traveling ‘dalang’ brings ‘wayang kulit’ to life
Nine-year-old Sulthan Adi Nugroho, who led the parade, shared how he had learned to become a leather puppet master two years ago. This year is his second performance and he had never performed outside shows held by the studio before.
