Two students from the UNNES Faculty of Languages and Arts performed the play “Dasamuka Gledhek” in the Siberi Fest series, Friday (7 June 2024), at Villa Siberi, Banjarejo, Boja, Kendal. This event presented performances by two students, namely Dhanang Wahyu Prasetya and Rio Candra, as part of the exam for the Puppetry Literature course. This performance was held in collaboration with the Javanese Language and Literature Education Study Program and the Javanese Literature Study Program, FBS Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES).
Dhanang Wahyu Prasetya and Rio Candra, two talented young puppeteers from UNNES, managed to amaze the audience with their skill in presenting the epic story “Dasamuka Gledhek”. Both of them showed extraordinary abilities in bringing puppet characters to life, presenting stories with full dynamics and flowing emotions.
Dhanang Wahyu Prasetya shows his expertise in processing the sounds and movements of wayang, creating a dramatic and immersive atmosphere. Rio Candra, with his flexibility and creativity, succeeded in presenting a refreshing sense of humor in the midst of a story full of tension. Their collaboration produces a show that is not only captivating, but also full of moral and cultural values.
The play “Dasamuka Gledhek” tells the story of the giant king Dasamuka, known as Ravana, and his ambition to rule the world. This story highlights the struggle of knights in facing evil forces and upholding the truth. Through the wayang characters brought to life by Dhanang and Rio, the audience is invited to reflect on power, loyalty and sacrifice.
This performance is part of a series of Siberi Fest events, a cultural festival held at Villa Siberi, Boja, Kendal. This festival aims to preserve and promote traditional Indonesian arts and culture, especially among the younger generation. Siberi Fest features various art performances, workshops and exhibitions involving local and national communities.
For Dhanang and Rio, this performance is also part of the exam for the Puppetry Literature course they are taking. Through this performance, they not only show their academic and artistic abilities, but also their commitment to preserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage. The course lecturer, Dr. Sucipto Hadi Purnomo, expressed his pride in the achievements of these two students and hoped that they would continue to work in the world of wayang art.
The shadow puppet performance of the play “Dasamuka Gledhek” by Dhanang Wahyu Prasetya and Rio Candra at Siberi Fest is not only entertaining, but also provides valuable lessons about the importance of maintaining and preserving traditional culture. It is hoped that this event will inspire more young people to love and learn the art of shadow puppetry as part of the nation’s identity.
