The Fading Art of Dalang

Indramayu, West Java - Regeneration in the art of dalang (puppeteer who plays the wayang or the Indonesian traditional puppets) is in crisis. From year to year, the number of devotees for dalang is diminishing because the profession is not profitable.

Mama Taham, a senior dalang from the village of Tambi, Sliyeg district, Indramayu regency, West Java, Monday, admitted that the number of people interested in the art of dalang is not as many as 20 years ago. Though he offers free dalang lessons, still only few are interested. Last year, only one person came to him to learn being a dalang.

Classic and contemporary dance artist from Indramayu, Rokhman, Wednesday, said that a lot of senior dalang have difficulties inheriting their art. The reason is their children aren't interested in the world of dalang.

This diminishes the dalang community. Only five dalang who can play the unique Indramayu wayang, called wayang golek cepak are left . While 10 years ago, there were still 10 who could.

The five dalang for wayang golek cepak are: Ahmadi from Paoman village, Indramayu district; Warsad from Gadingan village, Sliyeg district; Asmara and Karjaya, the brothers from Juntinyuat district; and Warnika from Kapringan village, Krangkeng district.

The section head of Culture Tourism Youth and Sport Department of Indramayu, Asep Ruchiyat Somantri said that the generation of dalang for wayang golek cepak is also decreasing because of the monotonous story material, which only shows the babad or the story of how a village was created in Indramayu and Cirebon.

Culture observer Supali Kasim admits that the dalang art is not popular as it can't compete with performances of modern tarling (a Javanese folk dance) or even the performance of single keyboard.

From the economical side, the dalang of the West Java coast are different from those from Central Java coast. A famous dalang in Central Java is paid Rp. 35 million per performance, while the same caliber in Indramayu only receives 3 to 6 million rupiah for a performance. After the fee is shared with the nayaga (musicians for the traditional gamelan instrument), sinden (traditional singer), and also for renting instruments and transportation, the dalang receives only Rp. 500,000.

An effort to revive the Indramayu wayang performances, said Asep, is to establish the Paguyuban Meduluran Dalang Wayang Golek Indramayu (like a guild for Indramayu dalangs). The Culture Tourism Youth and Sport Department of Indramayu calls all young dalang to broaden their story repertoire for wayang golek cepak to attract more interest. (NIT/THT/C17-09)

Source: http://english.kompas.com

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