W

hile traditional wayang (shadow puppet) is usually told in the Javanese language, with stories coming from major Sanskrit epics likes Mahabharata or Ramayana, a community in Depok called Wayang Beber Metropolitan (WBM) is trying to change that by presenting it in the Indonesian language to appeal to youngsters.

The community was founded in 2009 by Samuel Adiprasetyo who wanted to revive wayang beber, which is not as popular as wayang kulit (leather shadow puppets). Wayang beber is presented using illustrations instead of puppets.

Illustrations of the story is drawn on several scrolls and the dalang (puppet master/storyteller) talks behind the open scroll accompanied by music — usually gamelan. The dalang is in charge of changing the scroll every time a scene is finished.

As he grew older, Samuel found his true passion in painting and cinematography which was the perfect medium to channel his talent.

He uses Bahasa Indonesia to tell stories to attract people, especially youngsters who do not understand the Javanese language.

“I use Bahasa Indonesia and draw [modern] puppet figures who wear shirts or jeans to keep up with the times.

“With that move, I wish to introduce a different kind of wayang,” he said.

He added that he wanted people to at least know about traditional art and culture, which are acknowledged internationally.

UNESCO proclaimed on Nov. 7, 2003 that wayang is a world intangible cultural heritage.

Headquartered in Depok, West Java, WBM has been performing since 2011 in places like universities, malls and puppet museums in the Old Town complex in West Jakarta.

Samuel became the sole script writer and illustrations painter because the other WBM founders were no longer active in promoting wayang beber.

“As time went by, they realized that wayang beber wasn’t truly their passion.

“But, they are still committed to helping the community if needed,” Samuel said, adding that WBM currently has 10 active members.

Creating eight illustrations on a 5-meter-long scroll, he is able to narrate more than a hundred stories.

Each screen consists of five scenes and can last up to 90 minutes.

To cover new characters who are not pictured in the illustrations, the community created puppets whose bodies are made of used slippers.

The themes are always related to problems encountered in daily life like traffic jams, criminality, juvenile delinquency and elections.

The stories, which are all satirical, is delivered in such a way that anyone who sees it can feel relate to, Samuel said.

“Stories are meant to raise awareness of the condition of our country while witty remarks are included so that people can laugh about it instead of feeling angry or sad.”

To further enliven its performances, WBM uses gamelan or modern music during its shows.

One of the violin players who often accompanied WBM’s shows, Agnes Kostanti, said she would be ready if WBM asked her to help with the music as she herself is one of the community’s founders.

“I decided to fully support them with music which turned out to be my true passion.

“If I am free when they want to perform with music, I’ll help them out,” Agnes said.