Wayang Kulit Javanese Shadow Puppet : Betara Hydra . . The shadow plays in Java draws on a common heritage of Indian culture & stories borrowed from Indian epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Shadow plays are known as 'Wayang Purwa' and are elaborate performances lasting throughout the night. The puppets 'Wayang Kulit' are made from animal hide, usually that of a buffalo. They are richly decorated and coloured identically on both sides. Originally men would sit on the side of the screen where the actual puppets could be seen, while the women watched the shadows. Each puppet is manipulated by a single person the Dalang who also provides the voice. An orchestra, consisting of gongs, drums and tuned percussion instruments, accompanies the action - it is known as a gamelan. Gamelan music is essential to the performance as it provides cadence to which puppets move across the screen, take their places on the stage and fight. Fighting damages puppets so it is rare to find examples in good condition. References : https://scarab.bates.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=music_... Dimensions : Height of figure 63 cm, 25 inches. Please contact for price and shipping from the uk.