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WAYANG KULIT (KELANTAN)
Lot 754 Kg. Kubang Rawa Salor, 15100 Kota Bharu, Kelantan. (Kumpulan Suara Muda Sri Mantaq)
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Introduction and history
Wayang kulit is a traditional theatrical entertainment of shadow puppetry in Kelantan which has gained admiration nation-wide.
Presented in Kelantanese accent, and played with lights on a white canvas, wayang kulit displays a remarkable storytelling entertainment in Kelantanese wittiness and humour. It is mainly performed in the northeastern of Kelantan and Patani regions of Southern Thailand. The puppets are carved out of cow hide leather.
The puppeteer is called Tok Dalang. He moves the puppets on the surface of a ’kelir, backlit by strong lights to project the shadows on the screen.
The Tok Dalang's prominence lies in his ability and wittiness to voice the various characters with emotion and tones, pranks and disputes, bringing the characters alive, and delighting the audience.
Generally, the stories are adapted from the Ramayana epic and local folktales, casting well-known characters like Seri Rama, Siti Dewi, Wak Long, Pak Dogol and Hanuman.
Kelantan wayang kulit carries its own uniqueness and exclusivity, branding a specialty to the nation’s heritage.
Currently, the role of wayang kulit is to entertain at public events in and out of Kelantan.
1) Drums, geduk, gedombak, gong, canang, kesi and a flute.
2) A white screen
3) Seven to eight voice actors for ten characters:
• Seri Rama (the good king)
• Siti Dewi (the queen of Seri Rama)
• The admiral (the younger brother of Seri Rama)
• Rawana or Maharajawana (an evil and a staunch enemy of Seri Rama)
• Hanuman (the White Monkey, the son of Seri Rama and Siti Dewi)
• Pak Dogol, Sa’id and Wok Yoh (the nannies of Seri Rama)
• Wak Long (a close friend of Pak Dogol).
• Samad (the king's entertainer)
4) The banyan tree (a symbol of the opening and closing of the show).
Wayang kulit, containing voice acting and music, takes four steps to prepare.
Step 1: The construction of the stage or shed
Step 2: The selection of musical instruments and cast.
Step 3: The Selection of two leads: Dalang Muda (God of Arrows and Marching Sri Rama) and Dalang Tua or Tok Dalang.
Step 4: Exploring and understanding the characters for good performance.
The show involves the Bertabuh, Dalang Muda performance and Dalang Tua performance or known as Tok Dalang.
Mohammad Hafiza bin Che Ya owns a workshop in Kampung Lepah, Pasir Putih, producing the wayang kulit characters. He too has created twelve puppet characters. To date, he has successfully produced over 200 puppets for sale and souvenirs.
Reference Source
i. Bahan Bacaan:
- Wayang Kulit Melayu Tradisional Kelantan (Muhammad Dain bin Othman), 2011.
- Siri Mengenal Budaya 1/2023: Wayang Kulit
ii. Penggiat: Mohammad Hafiza Bin Che Ya
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Encik Wan Mohd Rosli bin Wan Sidik
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Kelantan
Kompleks JKKN Kelantan
Lot 1993, Seksyen 49,Tanjong Chat,
15200, Kota Bharu,
KELANTAN DARUL NAIM
09-741 7000
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