TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian child puppeteer Wahyu Hanung Hanindita received many appreciations for his performance in two big events. The 5th Turku International Puppetry Festival (TIPFEST) and Pori International Puppetry Festival (PIPFEST), respectively held on November 8 and 15 in Helsinki, Finland.
The 14-year-old Wahyu performed as member of shadow puppet group ‘Purwo Duto’ which was formed in Indonesian Embassy in Helsinki. Among 14 members of ‘Purwo Duto’, three are Finland citizen.
Made P. Senatanajaya, a representative of Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Finland said in a press release received by Tempo on Saturday, November 15, that the show in Turku had attracted so many people that the venue was overflooded by spectators. In Pori, tickets for the show was sold out far before the event date.
“Visitors’ admiration towards the young Dalang (shadow puppet master) can be seen through the many questions asked during the question and answer session at the end of the show,” said Made without giving details about the questions.
In addition, according to Made, the dalang ability to sing while animating several puppets at once as well as giving the sound effect with his foot, had stunned the crowd.
In the show, Wahyu performed the play entitled ‘Sesaji Raja Surya’ (The Grand Offering of The Kings) that tells the tale about war between Pandawa and evil king Jarasandha as a symbol of war against evil deeds.
Despite his young age, Wahyu -or more familiar as Hanin- had performed in many international event including the one in Unite Nations’ base in Geneva, Switzerland in April 16, 2008, when he was 5 years old.
TIPFEST is the biggest puppet show in Findland that is participated by several countries. In addition to Indonesia, the show also presented puppet show from Slovenia, France, Russia, Canada, Denmark, and Estonia.
NATALIA SANTI
