Penangite goes the extra mile to preserve the wayang kulit

Murshid (right) has been learning wayang kulit from Mohd Jufry since 2005. Photos: Sheela Chandran

Wayang kulit student Murshid Mohd Hussain, 37, is proud of his Malay heritage. And he is going all out to preserve its rich culture.

The Penangite has been learning wayang kulit since 2005, and he is captivated by this ancient Malaysian performance art form.

“There’s something unique about wayang kulit. I especially love how the stories told combine humour and drama... and the storytelling is so engaging, using traditional instruments to create mood. It’s interesting how everything comes together in the hands of one person – the Tok Dalang (master puppeteer),” says Murshid, who was in Kuala Lumpur recently for a wayang kulit performance.

At the event, Murshid had the opportunity to be the puppet master alongside his teacher, Tok Dalang Mohd Jufry Yusoff.

“My biggest challenge is creating a story that engages the audience. As the script is done impromptu, I have to ensure the story is interesting and substantial, and entertaining too. It’s also important to give a contemporary twist to wayang kulit which is an ancient art form to appeal to audiences,” shares Murshid, who has over 17 years of experience in wayang kulit.

Wayang kulit and its instruments are a reflection of the traditional Malay cultural diaspora, says Murshid. Photo: Sheela Chandran

The senior cultural officer of Universiti Sains Malaysia Cultural Centre has always been interested in Malay arts, culture and traditions. Growing up in Kampung Melayu in Air Itam, he was introduced to cultural performances like boria, Mak Yong, silat, and other musical genres.

“This awoke my interest in traditional arts and culture. I chose to enroll in wayang kulit lessons because there’s something unique in this ancient art form,” explains the USM graduate, who majored in drama and theatre.

He says many may not realise that the music in wayang kulit plays an integral part in each performance as it helps to evoke emotional responses in audiences.

The musical arrangements are created with a specific purpose, related to the different characters and different situations and are meant to draw out a range of different emotions, whether sad, happy, excitement, fear and so on.

Music also helps create build up in the dramatic scenes or levity in the comedic scenes.

“The music helps set the tempo and the tone for each performance,” Murshid says.

Murshid lists seven musical instruments that are commonly used in a wayang kulit performance.

Tok Dalang Mohd Jufry (centre) plays the gendang while guiding his son Muhammad Rayyan Rizqin, 12, to perform wayang kulit while his daughter Nurin Wanie Qistina, 15, plays the gedombak. Photo: The Star/Zhafaran Nasib

Serunai: This instrument is made from the trunk of a jack fruit tree. It is usually made in two different lengths: ibu (mother) and anak (child). It is long and conical with a bell-shaped lower end that is made out of hardwood.

Geduk: This instrument is similar to the gendang (drums), with two flat surfaces. The drum surface is made from cow hide or goat hide.

Gendang: This two-headed membranophone is also crafted from goatskin or cowhide. The body is carved from wood, and it is slightly curved towards the larger circular part of the drum.

Gedombak: This pear-shaped drum is an important instrument in the musical ensembles of wayang kulit Kelantan, Mak Yong and the Thai shadow play nang talung, where it is referred to as tharp.

Gong: This percussion instrument originates in East Asia and Southeast Asia. These flat metal discs are crafted from bronze alloy and copper.

Canang: This instrument is made from either copper or bronze. A mallet is used to produce a sustained sound.

Kesi: Also known as finger cymbals, these percussion instruments comprise one or two pairs of small cymbals. Each cymbal measures about two inches in diameter and is joined to each other with a string.