Indonesian Art - Anantasena Puppet

Indonesian Art - Anantasena Puppet

One of the magnificent heroes of the Mahabharata epic, Anantasena was the son of Bima, God of the Wind. His body was covered with scales and he would turn into a poisonous snake during battle. Anyone who came in contact with even his footprints would die instantly. As a result, he spent most of life underground. He was born as an adult and immediately was called upon to aid the gods in an attack by on of the ogre kings of the ocean. Because of his invaluable help in defeating the enemy, the grateful gods bestowed upon him the rights and status of a god, with dominion over river waters. He was also given the gift of healing wounds and of bringing back to life people who had not died according to their karma.

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, horn and bamboo. It is painted and gilded with gold paint.