Mohd Jufry with some of the wayang kulit characters in his collection. Photos: The Star/Zhafaran Nasib
Throughout the month of Ramadan, Tok Dalang Mohd Jufry Yusoff, 61, has been shuttling between his home in Penang and Kuala Lumpur for a series of wayang kulit (shadow puppet play) performances.
Making the four-hour drive from his home in Sungai Dua to KL during the fasting month was undoubtedly exhausting. Still, the sexagenarian isn’t complaining as he enjoys putting on the shadow puppet performances, especially after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Passion for wayang kulit
Mohd Jufry with some of the wayang kulit characters in his collection. Photos: The Star/Zhafaran Nasib
As one of the few remaining tok dalangs in Malaysia, Mohd Jufry is on a mission to conserve wayang kulit, as part of Malaysia’s heritage.
It takes about a week to create one wayang kulit character from scratch.
Mohd Jufry hopes to pass on his knowledge to the younger generation.
Old is gold: Mohd Jufry inherited this 100-year-old wayang kulit puppet from his grandfather. Photo: Sheela Chandran
It is important to educate the younger generation on wayang kulit, as part of Malaysia’s heritage. Photo: Sheela Chandran
Mohd Jufry at Kraftangan Malaysia's Hari Kraftangan Kebangsaan in Kuala Lumpur in March. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Fusion Wayang Kulit co-founder Tintoy Chou has given a new twist to wayang kulit. Photo: The Star/Muhamad Shahril Rosli
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