Previously held at Balik Pulau in 2016, visitors would be able to experience cultural dances, shadow play performances and cultural art demonstrations. One potential location he has been eyeing is along Lebuh Chulia.Īnother initiative in the plans is the “Traditions in Motion” showcase. He hopes that traditional arts can be revived on stage with a modern audience, particularly with tourists. Learn to make shadow puppets with the Puppeteer of Penang through LokaLocal. Thankfully, Penang does not lack festivals that promote its cultural arts and traditions. Not having a place to host traditional art performances in proves to be a challenge for Jufry and his team, as he has to make sure the rent and cost of musicians can be covered each time they do a live showing.Ĭurrently, they are only able to perform when there are special requests or events like the Pesta Pulau Pinang. A vibrant spectacle common in a cradle of culture like Kelantan, but not so in a fast-developing Penang. In the past, villagers and townsfolks would gather in an open-air makeshift theatre to watch wayang kulit, where the artists behind the screen create an interplay of light, action and traditional music. – Jufry Behind the scenes of a wayang kulit performance. We are looking for a space where we can perform every day. In other countries like Vietnam, there is a dedicated space to put on daily puppet performances. However, that alone is not enough to save a dying art. As for Jufry, he touches on current issues in his shadow plays. Although the play retained age-old techniques and music, it featured a contemporary storyline and sounds. In recent years, a Star Wars shadow play performance took Malaysian news by storm. These days, wayang kulit artists have adapted to the changing times to attract modern viewers.
#Shadow puppetry how to
And if that is not enough, he has to know how to sing. While narrating the story, he has to switch between voices, taking care of the speech and intonation. First and foremost, he has to take on at least 10 characters. Jufry explained that the tok dalang is the most important element of a shadow play. Mythical tales about Ramayana and Mahabhrata are often depicted. “In Penang, there are about 2 to 3 tok dalangs,” Jufry said. The centre currently has about 20 musicians and 10 dancers, but puppeteers are hard to find in Penang. Today, the Wak Long Music & Art Centre promotes traditional arts such as wayang kulit, gamelan and Mak Yong, a mysterious theatre form originated from Kelantan, amongst others. He eventually became a cultural artist and lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), where he accepts students at the Wak Long Music & Art Centre. In the 1980, Jufry moved to Penang with his uncle to study both wayang kulit and gamelan music. Jufry was only six then, but his love for puppetry only grew ever since, leading him to pursue his studies in traditional arts.
The plays, usually depicting mythical tales, would be accompanied by traditional percussion instruments. He remembers sitting beside his grandfather, Mamat Semail, during wayang kulit performances, watching as he commanded the stage. Born in Kelantan, the 57-year-old descended from a long line of puppeteers. Jufry is a tok dalang, a master puppeteer in the art of wayang kulit. Mohd Jufry comes from a long line of master puppeteers. For Mohd Jufry Yusoff, it is a life-long mission. In Malaysia, the humble wayang kulit, or the ancient art of shadow puppetry, is still trying to step out of the shadows. Regular live shows keep the culture alive, while introducing the art to visitors, near and far. From Vietnam’s water puppets, to the marionettes of France, and the bunrako of Japanese, traditional puppetry around the world have found themselves a home within modern puppet theatres.
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