Shadow play

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Shadow play

A shadow play is an ancient form of story-telling and entertainment using opaque, often articulated figures in front of an illuminated backdrop to create the illusion of moving images. It is popular in various cultures. At present, more than 20 countries are known to have shadow show troupes. It is sometimes called "shadow puppetry".

1 China
2 France
3 Indonesia
4 Thailand
5 Turkey
6 Shadow Puppetry Today
7 Notes
8 See also

[edit] China

The shadow show in China dates back to at least the Song Dynasty (960–1279), and may date back substantially earlier. The art form was spread across the Asian continent by Mongols in the 13th century to countries of the Middle East, where it took root in various forms. During the Tang Dynasty, two main forms of shadow puppetry emerged, Pekingese in the north and Cantonese in the south. These differed more in the way the puppets were constructed than in the was the plays were performed.

Puppets made of leather and moved on sticks are used to tell dramatic versions of traditional fairy tales and myths. In Gansu province, it is accompanied by Daoqing music, while in Jilin, accompanying Huanglong music forms some of the basis of modern opera.^[1]

[edit] France

The Ombres Chinoises (French for "Chinese shadows") were a popular entertainment in Paris during the 19th century, especially in the famous nightclub district of Montmartre. The tradition in France dates back to at least the mid-18th century when it was brought back by travellers to the Orient. The puppeteer Dominique Séraphin first presented the spectacle in Paris in 1776, and in Versailles in 1781.

The cabaret Chat Noir ("black cat") produced a number of popular Ombres Chinoises shows in the 1880s, using up to 20 assistants and a large, oxy-hydrogen back-lit performance area. The Ombres evolved into numerous theatrical productions, as well as popular children's toys across Europe.^[2]

[edit] Indonesia

Wayang kulit puppet in Bali, Indonesia

In Indonesia (notably Java and Bali), shadow puppet plays are known as wayang kulit. In Javanese, Bayang means shadow or imagination, while Kulit means skin and refers to the leather that puppets are made from. Stories presented are usually mythical & morality tales. There is an educational moral to the plays which usually portray a battle between good and evil, with good always winning and evil running away (but eventually to return). The Indonesian shadow plays are sometimes considered one of the earliest examples of animation.

The puppets are made primarily of leather and manipulated with sticks or buffalo horn handles. Shadows are cast using an oil lamp or, in modern times, a halogen light, onto a cotton cloth background. They are often associated with gamelan drum music (or Pinpeat orchestral in Cambodia). Shadow plays are very popular even today. They are performed during sacred temple ceremonies, at private functions, and for the public in the villages. A performance can last all night long, sometimes up to six hours or until dawn.

UNESCO designated Wayang Kulit as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 7, 2003.

[edit] Thailand

Shadow theatre in Thailand is called Nang Yai; in the south there is a tradition called Nang Ta Lung. Nang Yai puppets are normally made of cowhide and rattan. Performances are normally accompanied by a combination of songs and chants. Performances in Thailand were temporarily suspended in 1960 due to a fire at the national theatre. Nang drama has influenced modern Thai cinema, including filmmakers like Cherd Songsri and Payut Ngaokrachang. ^[3]

[edit] Turkey

The Turkish tradition of shadow play, called Karagöz, seems to hail from ancient Egypt.^[4]

[edit] Shadow Puppetry Today

Shadow theatre is still popular in many parts of Asia. Prahlad Acharya is one famous Indian magician who incorporates shadow theatre into his work.

Shadow theatre has influenced some modern Japanese Manga. For example, the Shadow Girls in Revolutonary Girl Utena are portrayed entirely in silhouette, as though they were created by shadow puppets.

It also occurs occasionally in popular culture, for example in: