Shadow puppet, Aswatama

This puppet represents the character of Aswatama (Asvatthama), the son of Drona and a Kaurava ally against the Pandava brothers. Hindu epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana are among the popular wayang stories performed in the Javanese ‘wayang kulit’, or leather shadow puppet theatre tradition.Wayang kulit is considered the highest of the performing arts. Performed in the royal courts of Java as early as the ninth century, this tradition continues to be treasured as one of the pusaka or sacred heirlooms of the court. Wayang kulit is traditionally performed on ritual feast days and religious ceremonies. It has also been adapted for television and public education campaigns.

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