Shadow play - Definition and Overview

An ancient form of entertainment in various cultures including:

• Indonesia

In Indonesia and Bali shadow puppet plays are known as wayang kulit . Stories presented are usually mythical & morality tales. There is an educational moral to the plays which usually portray a battle between good and evil, with good always winning and evil running away (but eventually to return).

The puppets are made of leather and manipulated with sticks. Shadow plays are very popular even today. They are performed during sacred temple ceremonies, at private functions, and for the public in the villages. A performance can last all night long, sometimes up to six hours or until dawn.

• Thailand

Shadow theatre in Thailand is called 'Nang Yai' ; in the south there is a tradition called [Nang Ta].[1] (http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/7153/talug.htm) [2] (http://www.carnatica.net/ramayana2.htm), [3] (http://coas.missouri.edu/anthromuseum/minigalleries/thaipuppets/intro.html)

• Turkey

The Turkish tradition of shadow play, called Karagoz, seems to hail from ancient Egypt. [4] (http://turkshadowtheatre.sitemynet.com/history.htm)

Example Usage of Shadow