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Cultural Context

Theatrical performance.

Iconographic Meaning

Batik sarong, small facial features, bump at back of head (or knot of hair), long coat and sly expression are all distinguishing features of Sangkuni, the first minister and advisor (patih) of the Kurawa kings. He is a Kurawa, son of Tistawa, brother of Dasarata's wife, Gandar, and uncle of King Durjudana (Suyudana) of Astina. The slender body, pale face, and delicate features indicate his human ancestry and show his refined or noble nature. The batik sarong and close-fitting clothing indicate his high rank. The direct, gaze reflects a forthright personality; he is also considered sly, intelligent, and tending to evil.

Description

Humanoid figure in three parts: body (part b), head (part b), and single controlling rod (part c). Face flesh coloured, with snout-like nose, small eyes with red irises, black moustache, and small beard. Red lips drawn back, small white teeth visible. Gelung headdress has gold jamang; gold sumping has red upper, lower surfaces, extends behind head; ornaments (sumping) behind ears have horizontal stripes in red, white. Black hair forms bump at back of head. Body unpainted; slender with narrow waist. Arms unpainted, red bracelets; hands at right angle to arms; hand on left resembles paw, hand on right has long fingers, thumb curled under palm. String joining upper arm on right to shoulder; broken. Cord holds arm into coat at elbow. Puppet wears long black fitted coat with white collar. Light brown sarong has medium brown and blue floral batik design, purple stitching; many holes, tear at front hem. Controlling rod unpainted, spear-shaped; fits through body, turns head.

History Of Use

Javanese puppetry as an art form probably developed by the 11th century. The three-dimensional wooden wayang golek puppets of western Java appeared during the 16th century. Originally the plays depicted Javanese mythology, but after the Indian conquest of Java the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, were incorporated into the cycles, which comprise about 200 plays. An individual or group hires a dalang (puppet-master) to celebrate important occasions. The performances often last all night and are generally presented in three acts, with vocal and instrumental accompaniment. The individual plays vary widely in detail but usually involve conflict between good and evil. They serve a moral and religious purpose, and more recently, one of political commentary. Each puppet's character is represented by its appearance and placement onstage; protagonists with strong elements of good are placed to the right, antagonists of violent or evil nature to the left. Sangkuni appears in the Pandawa cycle, which tells of the feud between the Pandawa and Kurawa brothers. The Kurawas are the evil aggressors, who, aided by the unusually wise Sangkuni, attempt to overthrow the good Pandawas. They are finally defeated in the final battle, .