Indonesian Art - Arjuna
Product Description
Indonesian Art - Arjuna
Portrayed as a two-dimensional shadow puppet, Arjuna is one of the favorite heroes from the Hindu Mahabharata epic poem. He was a great lover and warrior. He had supernatural powers and could fly or disappear and was able to see spirits invisible to other humans. Although he was a royal prince, he lived austerely and was not materialistic. He has been a powerful role model in modern times.
The shadow puppet theatre is an important entertainment, which in addition to dramatizing the ancient Hindu epics, such as the Mahabharata, is utilized for education and the teaching of ethics, philosophy and political doctrine. Believed to have evolved out of ancestor worship, the shadows thrown on the screen represent the invisible half of the universe, which is why performances must be held at night.
Antique, c. 1950, our shadow puppet, or wayang kulit in Indonesian, is made of water buffalo hide and horn. It is painted and gilded with gold paint.