Preserving tradition: Sapari making wayang kulit purwo puppets, which are heavily influenced by Javanese culture, at his shop at the Johor Craft Complex in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: A third-generation craftsman is making sure that wayang kulit will continue to live on in Johor, although the art form is more commonly associated with Malaysia’s east coast and northern states.
Sapari Sukarjo said the centuries-old story-telling medium, known in Johor as wayang kulit purwo, is different in a number of ways compared to wayang kulit performances in other states such as Kedah and Kelantan.
“In the northern and east coast states, the puppets are heavily influenced by Siamese culture as they are near Thailand.
“But over here, the designs reflect the Javanese culture, as wayang kulit was brought to Johor by the Javanese community.
“Another difference is our storyteller, or Tok Dalang, who will communicate in the Javanese dialect,” he said when met at his shop at the Johor Craft Complex in Jalan Cenderasari here.
Sapari, who is among the few remaining wayang kulit puppet makers in the state, said wayang kulit performances were available in Batu Pahat due to the presence of a Javanese community there.
“When I showcase the art form at festivals held in other districts, it is not only foreign tourists who are amazed by wayang kulit purwo.
“Even our locals are not aware that in Johor, we have our very own wayang kulit,” he said.
Sapari, 55, said the main material to make the puppets would come from goat or cow skin, as it would last a long time.
“I have a wayang kulit puppet that is about 150 years old. It was passed down from my grandfather to my father and is in my possession now,” he added.
“One day, I will pass it down to one of my four children, who will continue our family’s legacy in making wayang kulit puppets.”
Sapari also said he was first captivated by wayang kulit through his late father, who was a well-known Tok Dalang in Batu Pahat.
He was of the view that wayang kulit purwo should be promoted among the younger generation to ensure the art form’s survival.
Even in Singapore, amid its modernisation, the republic had been good at promoting and preserving its arts and culture for the younger generation, Sapari noted.
“Over there, wayang kulit performers are given the opportunity to perform at schools and in public places so that the art form is known to youngsters.
“There are no wayang kulit puppet makers in Singapore, but the art is alive there. They will normally order the puppets from me, as I do not want wayang kulit purwo to be lost.
“That would be a waste of our heritage,” he said.
