WAYANG KULIT PERFORMANCE : DEWA SERAJUK - DEWA BEREMBUN 18 APRIL 2015

DEWA SERAJUK, DEWA BEREMBUN

(Wayang Kulit in English)

This Malaysian Shadow Play originated from Thailand and is based on the Indian epic “Ramayana”. It appeared in Kelantan during the reign of Sultan Long Yunus, 1763-1798 (Mubin Sheppard, JMBRAS 1965). It has some common origin with that of the Javanese Shadow Play based on the Indian epic “Mahabaratha” which is popular in Indonesia (A. L. P. Sweeney, 1972).

Today this Malaysian Shadow Play is hardly seen by the public even though there are about 10 puppeteers in Kelantan. The musical backing of the Shadow Play, provided by 1 oboe, 2 pot drums, 2 vertical stick drums, 2 mongs or horizontal knobbed gongs, 2 horizontal double headed drums, 2 horizontal cymbals, and 2 hanging knobbed gongs, is played by 7 musicians and headed by the Puppeteer.

The show entitled “Dewa Serajuk, Dewa Berembun” is about 2 Demi Gods residing in the West and East Heavens battling each other for the hands of a Goddess that culminated in the birth of the Hanuman, one of the main characters  of the “Ramayana”.

DEWA SERAJUK, DEWA BEREMBUN

Dewa Berembun is happily married to Siti Andang Dewi in East Heaven. Dewa Serajuk from West Heaven was not pleased, for he had always wanted Siti Andang Dewi for himself, and tried his best to woo her. Serajuk succeeded in enticing her into having an affair with him. Dewa Berembun discovered Siti Andang Dewi’s infidelity and out of revenge, had sex with a male Demi God who was disguised as a Goddess, who in turn cast his sperm to the wind, only to be caught by Putri Maya Angin, who later gave birth to Hanuman (Hanuman Kera Putih), The Monkey King. Dewa Serajuk later descended to earth and entered Cahaya Bulan who later gave birth to Rama (Maharaja Seri Rama) and Letchumanan (Laksamana).

In remorse Dewa Serajuk descended to earth and entered Ratu Kuaca who later gave birth to Ravana. Siti Andang Dewi in remorse descended to the earth and entered Mandudaki who later gave birth to Sita (Siti Dewi).

Rama and Letchumanan, Hanuman, Sita and Ravana are the five main characters that embodied the Indian epic “Ramayana”.