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Shadow puppeteer Ki Seno Nugroho dies at 48
He often said the Wayang Climen show was produced to help maintain the livelihood of his crew, as traditional artists had suffered financially during the pandemic.
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Ki Seno Nugroho (JP/Courtesy of Kompas.com)
Y
ogjakarta-based shadow puppeteer Ki Seno Nugroho has passed away at PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital in Gamping, Yogyakarta. The cause of death remains unknown.
A funeral service is being held Wednesday at the Semaki Gede public cemetery.
Gatot Jatayu, a crew member for Seno, announced his death through a vlog. Seno was taken to the hospital Tuesday afternoon.
“Pak Seno had gone cycling and then went home. Not long after that, he said he felt unwell and then his family took him to the hospital,” Gatot said.
Seno’s family has not made a statement.
Seno is survived by his wife Agnes Widiasmoro, two daughters, Anglir Kinanti and Djenar Nyimasayu and a son, Gadhing Pawukir. He also adopted a son, nicknamed Nizar.
Seno was taken to the same hospital a few months ago, reportedly due to a heart attack.
“We have lost another cultural hero. Watching Seno perform has been my way of dealing with the stressful nature of this pandemic,” FX Kristanto, a fan of Seno, said.
“I don’t know any other puppeteer who is able to present dialogue between characters in the way Seno did,” said Agung Nugroho, another fan.
Seno, a third-generation puppeteer, has performed in many countries, such as Canada, Argentina and Germany. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Seno put on the two-three hour Wayang Climen show, shorter than the usual five to six hour duration.
He often said the Wayang Climen show was produced to help maintain the livelihood of his crew, as traditional artists had suffered financially during the pandemic.
