In Bali the wayang play retains its spiritual significance, being used in all the religious festivals, the 5 Yadnyas. The Dewa Yadnya ceremonials for the gods and deified ascendents, the Pitara Yadnya ceremonials for the souls, the Manusia Yadnya ceremonials for the rites-de-passage, Rshi Yadnya consecration ceremonials for the priest, and Bhuta Yadnya offerings to the magical powers of the spirits. 3 sets of wayang are known to have gained fame among the folks; the Wayang Parwa depicting the Mahabharatum stories; the Wayang Ramayana depicting the stories of Rama; and the Wayang Leyak or Wayang Calonarang depicting the legend of the magical widow of Girah who spread disease and disaster during the Airlangga period of Kediri kingdom. Still existing in Bali, but never performed nowadays, is the Wayang Gambuh depicting the Malat Pandji stories.

The wayang figures retain their original features resembling the figures of the reliefs of the Panataran temple in East Java. The Wayang Parwa is companioned by only 4 gendhers, while the Wayang Ramayana or the Wayang Calonarang is companioned by a more luxuriant orchestra called the Bhathel ensemble consisting of: 4 gendhers, 2 ghupak, 1 cengceng, 1 klenang, and 1 kempur. While the dialog of the Wayang Parwa in Java is already using the modern Javan language, the Wayang Bali still uses the Kawi (old Javan) language and translate it to ordinary daily Balinese language through the Penasars.

The technique of narration is also different in Bali. The narration is called the Penjacah Parwa (in Java the Janturan), and songs are called the Pengalang (in Java the Sulukan). The Penjacah Parwa is to be continued by the telling of the stories called the Senduk Semita. The Penasars, who translate Kawi dialogue into ordinary daily Balinese, are called Malen or twalen, Merdah, Sangut, and Melem or Dwelem. Malen and Merdah accompany the right side or heroic figure, such as the knights and Sangut-Melem accompany the left side or evil figures, such as the monsters.

According to the rules of the ceremonials every wayang performance has to be given a complete set of offerings called Bebanten Wayang to ward off evil spirits and necromancy powers. During purification ceremonials or the Penglukatan a special story is performed, the Sudamala or Sapuleger story, which is as is as in Java. Also the Murwakala story for the Ngruwat (known as Nglukat, in the Balinese ceremonial).

[email_link]

Narasumber: Moerdowo,R.M.