KUALA LUMPUR: The country's art of shadow puppetry took centrestage at Istana Budaya last weekend, with Wayang Sakti, a celebration of Kelantanese wayang kulit.
Wayang Sakti, an original production of Istana Budaya, was held at the national theatre's main hall Panggung Sari last Friday and Saturday and featured Mohd Suhaimi Ibrahim as the Tok Dalang, choreographer Zamzuriah Zahari, and Kamarul Baisah Hussin, Tengku Iefizulasyrifie Putra, and Rudy De Luna as the main stars.
It was directed by 1957 - Hati Malaya and Tanda Putera actor Mohd Kamarulzaman Taib or Che Kem, and also featured performances by the Istana Budaya dancers and the Malaysian Traditional Orchestra.
Istana Budaya deputy director-general Zaifri Husin said that they had originally planned to have wayang kulit from Kelantan, Kedah and Johor in the play.
"Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic and Movement Control Order (MCO) hindered our task. Consequently, we opted to only have Kelantanese wayang kulit for now," he said in an interview with Harian Metro today.
Zaifri added that Wayang Sakti was well-received by audiences as the show was "systematic and entertaining" from the start.
"We strongly believe in giving audiences quality showcases, that are both entertaining and educational.
"Wayang kulit is our heritage, and we have a duty to promote, preserve and celebrate it," he said, thanking audiences for their support.
Zaifri said that Istana Budaya planned to showcase more traditional art forms from other states in future, as it was the right time for the new generation to be familiarised with the country's rich cultural heritage.
