Wayang Kulit Kelantan History

Wayang Kulit is a popular shadow puppet show in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, especially those in Kelantan ,Terengganu and also in Johor. The origin of the theatre is still remained a mistery, but it was brought to Malaya hundreds of years ago. 

(Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof. The Malay Shadow Play: An Introduction.)

According to Pak Hussin (the puppeteer from Kg Gelang Mas Kelantan), Wayang Kulit Kelantan is originated from India that pass through Siam and come to Kelantan thats why Wayang Kulit story are based on adaptations of the classic Indian epics, "The Mahabarata" and "The Ramayana".He also stated that Wayang Kulit Kelantan was first be played at Kampung Laut, Kelantan by the Siamese Puppeteer.

 

Books

I also went to Arkib Negara and was registered as a researcher to be able to get some information about Wayang Kulit. I went there by car with my colleague Kak Zura.

The researcher identification card

I borrow some books from Arkib Negara that related to my topics.Thanks again to Kak Zura because without her and her brother helps i cannot borrow those book because there are rules at Arkib Negara where only staff are allowed to borrow the books.So I am lucky because Kak Zura's brother works at Arkib Negara. These are the books i borrowed:

Wayang Kulit Warisan Teater Melayu Book

The Malay Shadow Play Book

Interviews

I had interviewed Pak Hussin to get more information regarding panggung and wayang kulit. Pak Hussin is one of the Tok Dalang (the puppeteer) at Kg Gelang Mas.I did saw a real Wayang Kulit Performance perform by Pak Hussin.

Field Research

  Sign of Kampung Gelang Mas

I went to the Kampung Benggol Gelang Mas Pasir Mas Kelantan to do the observation and interviews the real person involve in Wayang Kulit. I am lucky because at that time there were group of students from Kepala Batas Community College that do the documentary about Wayang Kulit for their video editing project. So i was take this opportunities to work together with them and share the resources and equipments they use such as video and digital camera. I have been there for 2 days and 1 night.

Kepala Batas Community College Students

The equipments used 

Visual Gathering

Photographs and Scan

I took my own photographs using digital camera. Some of the photo i have got from the books i borrowed and i scan the image.

Video Shooting

I also take a few video of my own using the equipment from Kepala Batas Community College.

Reports On Method Used

These are the methods i have used to complete the project:

1. Field Research
2. Interview and Observation
3. Visual Gathering
4. Resources from books

Proposal

Topic :  Panggung Wayang Kulit

Objectives

1. To produce interactive information about Panggung Wayang Kulit
2. To explore the structure,material,peripherals of Panggung
3. To enhance the way of representing the content using multimedia component

Target Audience

1. All level of students
2. Researcher
3. Teacher/Lecturer