Jakarta (ANTARA) - The younger generation's collaboration and support are essential to preserve the wayang shadow puppet art and ensure the art's popularity, dhalang (puppet master) Ki Bayu Aji Nugraha said.
"Wayang will not fade away because the art has survived for more than three thousand years, from our ancestors' time and the era of animism and dynamism. Wayang (develops) according to the current developments. Cross-discipline collaboration must be attempted to preserve (the wayang)," Nugraha told ANTARA , on Sunday.
He opined the youth's interest in wayang can be nurtured by inviting them to collaborate in artistic activities and not restricting their creativity, which will motivate them to explore, share, and develop their artistic skills more.
The dhalang said that activities at Yogyakarta's Bajran Gupita Art Studio, where he hailed from, are dominated by the youth actively studying puppeteer, traditional music, and traditional singing arts.
Baca juga: Panggung nyaris roboh diterjang angin, pentas wayang kulit di Pantai Tampah terhenti
Baca juga: Remaja Bali dibekali seni lukis wayang klasik
"They have an outstanding spirit because they are not ceasing from making new works. They are not only developing (the art) but also conducting cross-art collaborations, sharing experiences and experimenting with new performances," the dhalang remarked.
Youth's collaboration crucial to preserve wayang performance
Yogyakartan dhalang (puppet master) Ki Bayu Aji Nugraha of Bajran Gupita Art Studio during his wayang performance on Apex Legends Mobile "Jagad Sandhya Legenda" roadshow event at M Bloc Space, South Jakarta, Saturday (July 2, 2022). ANTARA/Arnidhya Nur Zhafira.
