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{{short description|Indonesian traditional theatre}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox performing art
| name       = ''Wayang wong''
| image      = Ramayana Java.jpg
| caption    = [[Ramayana]] ''wayang wong'' performance at the [[Prambanan]] temple, [[Yogyakarta]], [[Indonesia]].
| medium     = 
| types      = Traditional
| culture    = [[Indonesia]] ([[Javanese people|Javanese]] and [[Balinese people|Balinese]])
| era        = 
}}
{{Infobox intangible heritage
| ICH = Wayang
| State Party = Indonesia
| ID = 00063
| Region = APA
| Year = 2008
| Session = 3rd
| List = Representative
}}
{{Dance drama of Southeast Asia}}
'''{{tlit|jv|Wayang wong}}''' ({{langx|jv|ꦮꦪꦁꦮꦺꦴꦁ}} {{smaller|(in the [[Javanese language#Registers|''ngoko'' register]])}}),{{sfn|Robson|Wibisono|2002|pp=803-804}} also known as '''{{lang|id|wayang orang}}''' ({{lit|human-form {{tlit|jv|[[wayang]]}}}}), is a type of classical [[Javanese dance|Javanese]] and [[Balinese dance|Balinese]] dance theatrical performance with themes taken from episodes of the ''[[Ramayana|Ramayāna]]'' or ''[[Mahabharata|Mahabharāta]]''. Performances are stylised, reflecting Javanese court culture:

{{blockquote|{{tlit|jv|Wayang wong}} dance drama in the central Javanese {{tlit|jv|[[kraton (Indonesia)|Kraton]]}} (royal court) of [[Yogyakarta]] represents the epitome of Javanese aesthetic unity. It is total theatre involving dance, drama, music, visual arts, language, and literature. A highly cultured sense of formality permeates every aspect of its presentation.<ref>{{ cite journal | author = Garrett Kam | title = ''Wayang Wong'' in the Court of Yogyakarta: The Enduring Significance of Javanese Dance Drama | journal = Asian Theatre Journal | volume = 4 | issue = 1 | pages = 29–51 | date = Spring 1987 | doi = 10.2307/1124435 | jstor = 1124435 }}</ref>}}

Despite being closely associated with [[Javanese culture|Javanese]] and [[Balinese culture|Balinese]] tradition, variants of {{tlit|jv|wayang wong}} dance drama can also be found in neighboring [[Javanese people|Javanese]] ethnic traditions, including [[Sundanese dance|Sundanese]] tradition.

==History==
The [[bas relief]] panels on the ninth-century [[Prambanan]] temple show episodes of the ''[[Ramayana]]'' epic. The adaptation of ''[[Mahabharata]]'' episodes has been integrated in the Javanese literature tradition since the [[Kahuripan]] and [[Kediri Kingdom|Kediri]] era, with notable examples such as [[Arjunawiwaha]], composed by Mpu [[Kanwa]] in the 11th century. The [[Penataran]] temple in East Java depicts themes from the ''Ramayana'' and ''Mahabharata'' in its bas reliefs. The Javanese dance drama associated with ''wayang''{{'}}s epic themes from the ''Ramayana'' and ''Mahabharata'' would have existed by then.

''Wayang'' in Kawi ([[Old Javanese]]) means "shadow" and ''wong'' means "human". ''Wayang wong'' was a performance in the style of 
''[[wayang kulit]]'' (the shadow theatre of Central Java) wherein actors and actresses took the puppets' roles. The first written reference to the form is on the stone inscription Wimalarama from East Java dated 930 CE.<ref>Soedarsono, 1997: 4-6</ref> The genre is currently done in masked and unmasked variations in Central Java, Bali, and Cirebon, as well as in Sunda (West Java).<ref name="Yus">{{cite web|title=Wayang Wong Priangan: Dance Drama of West Java| author=Yus Ruslaiana | work=Gamelan.org |url=http://www.gamelan.org/balungan/back_issues/balungan%289-10%29/2-Ruslaiana_Dancedrama.pdf}}</ref>

''Wayang wong'' is closely associated with [[Javanese culture]]. Originally, it was performed only as an aristocratic entertainment in the four palaces of [[Yogyakarta]], [[Pakualaman]], [[Surakarta]], and [[Mangkunegaran]]. In the course of time, it evolved into a popular and folk form as well. Javanese ''wayang wong'' performances are regularly staged on the Trimurti Ramayana open-air stage in [[Prambanan]] temple, compound as [[Ramayana Ballet]], Purawisata cultural hall in Yogyakarta, Sriwedari park in [[Surakarta|Solo]], and also [[Ngesti Pandawa]] in [[Semarang]].

==Variations==
Other than in the [[Javanese dance]] tradition, the variants of ''wayang wong'' dance drama can also be found in other traditions, including in [[Bali]]nese and [[Sundanese dance|Sundanese]] traditions.

===Wayang wong Bali===
[[File:Ramayana Bali Ubud 1.jpg|thumb|Balinese ''wayang wong Ramayana'', performed in Sarasvati Garden in [[Ubud]]]]

''Wayang wong Bali'' refers to a [[Balinese dance|Balinese]] version of ''wayang'' dance drama. Its contemporary presentation is usually included within the ''[[kecak]]'' dance, where fragments or episodes of the ''[[Ramayana]]'' are performed amidst the chanting ''kecak'' dancers. However, a Balinese ''wayang wong'' version that does not include ''kecak'' dancers has also existed, especially in Ubud. ''Wayang wong Bali'' is usually associated with [[Buleleng Regency|Buleleng District]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Dance Performances |work=Ultimate Bali|url=http://www.ultimatebali.com/arts-culture/dance-performances}}</ref>

===Wayang wong Cirebon===
''Wayang wong Cirebon'' refers to a tradition of ''wayang'' dance drama in the city of [[Cirebon]], West Java. Cirebon has two styles of ''wayang wong''. The first is a commoners or village version in which the performers are masked. The second is a Cirebon palace variant where the
performers dance are unmasked. Cirebonese ''wayang wong'' developed at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and influenced the ''wayang wong Priangan'' by the end of that century.<ref name="Yus"/>

===Wayang wong Priangan===
''Wayang wong Priangan'' refers to a [[Sundanese people|Sundanese]] version of ''wayang'' dance drama, developed in the [[Priangan]] region in the heartland of West Java. ''Wayang wong Priangan'' developed in the late nineteenth century, peaked in the regencies of Bandung, Sumedang, Garut and Sukabumi in the period before World War II, and receded by the late 1960s as audiences waned.<ref name="Yus"/> In the Sundanese tradition, the most prevalent ''wayang'' tradition is ''[[wayang golek]]'', a wooden rod puppet performance. Nevertheless, the ''wayang''-themed dance drama performance also exists, usually performed in Sundanese ''[[sandiwara]]'' traditional drama form.

===Wayang gedog===
[[File:KITLV - 10859 - Kurkdjian - Soerabaja - Javanese mask game (topeng) at the pasar malam in Surabaya - 1905-1906.tif|thumb|right|''Wayang gedog'', masked ''wayang'' in Surabaya c. 1905]]
''Wayang gedog'' (lit. "masked ''wayang''"), another form of ''wayang wong'' performance, is usually considered to be a cross between ''wayang wong'' and the ''[[topeng]]'' dance. These performances take themes from the [[Panji (prince)|Panji cycle]] stories about the kingdom of [[Janggala]]. Players wear masks known as ''wayang topeng'' or ''wayang gedog''. The word ''gedog'' comes from ''kedok'', which like ''topeng'' means "mask". The main theme is a love story about [[Panji (prince)#Chandra Kirana|Princess Candra Kirana]] of [[Kediri (historical kingdom)|Kediri]] and [[Panji (prince)|Raden Panji Asmarabangun]], the crown prince of Janggala. Candra Kirana was the incarnation of [[Rati|Dewi Ratih]] (the Hindu goddess of love) and Panji was an incarnation of [[Kamadeva|Kamajaya]] (the Hindu god of love). Candra Kirana's story has been given the title ''"[[Smaradahana]]"'' ("The fire of love"). At the end of the complicated story they finally marry and produce a son. Panji Asmarabangun ruled Janggala under the official names of "Sri Kameswara", "Prabu Suryowiseso", and "Hino Kertapati".

== Dance style ==

''Wayang wong'' has fixed patterns of movement and costume:

For male performers:

* ''Alus'': very slow, elegant and smooth movement. For example, the dance of [[Arjuna]], [[Puntadewa]] and all other refined and slimly built ''[[kshatriya]]s''. There are two types of movement, ''lanyap'' and ''luruh''.
* ''Gagah'': a more masculine and powerful dance movement, used commonly for the roles of strongly built ''kshatriyas'', soldiers and generals.
** ''Kambeng'': a more powerful and athletic dance, used for the roles of [[Bhima|Bima]], [[Antareja]], and [[Ghatotkacha]].
** ''Bapang'': ''gagah'' and ''kasar'' for the warriors of antagonist roles such as [[Kaurava|Kaurawa]].
** ''Kalang kinantang'': falls somewhere between ''alus'' and ''gagah'', danced by tall, slim dancers in the roles of [[Krishna|Kresno]] or [[Suteja]].
* ''Kasar'': a coarse style, used in portraying evil characters such as [[Rakshasa]], [[ogre]]s and [[demon]]s.
* ''Gecul'': a funny court jester and commoners, portraying ''[[Punokawan|ponokawan]]'' and ''cantrik''.
** ''Kambeng dengklik'': for [[ape]] warriors, such as [[Hanuman]].
** ''Kalang kinantang dengklik'': for [[ape]] warriors, such as [[Sugriva|Sugriwa]] and [[Vali (Ramayana)|Subali]].

For female performers:

The movements known as ''nggruda'' or ''ngenceng encot'' in the classical high style of dance consist of nine basic movements (''joged pokok'') and twelve other movements (''joged gubahan'' and ''joged wirogo'') and are used in performing the ''[[bedoyo]]'' and ''[[srimpi]]''.

Today, the ''wayang wong'', following the ''Gagrak'' style of [[Surakarta]], is danced by women. They follow the ''alus'' movements associated with a ''[[kshatriya]]'', resembling [[Arjuna]]. In the ''Gagkra'' style from Yogyakarta, a male dancer uses these same ''alus'' movements to depict princes and generals. There are about 45 distinct character types.

==Performances==
[[File:Wayang Wong Bharata Pandawa.jpg|thumb|[[Pandava]] and [[Krishna]] in an act of the ''wayang wong'' performance]]

Performances of ''wayang wong'' are regularly staged in the Javanese cultural heartlands, the court cities of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). The national capital Jakarta also stages ''wayang wong'' performances, although they are not always well-publicised.

===Yogyakarta===
A series of well-known dramatic monthly evening performances of ''wayang wong'' from the ''Ramayana'' is performed all year round at the [[Prambanan]] temple near [[Yogyakarta]]. The most complete ''Ramayana wayang wong'' involving more than a hundred dancers, artists and gamelan musicians is performed only during the dry season (usually May to October) on a large, open-air stage with the Prambanan Trimurti temples as the background. During the monsoon rainy season, however, the performance is moved into a smaller indoor theatre nearby. In downtown Yogyakarta, on the eastern side of [[Yogyakarta Sultanate|Keraton Yogyakarta]], the ''Ramayana wayang wong'' is also performed every night, starting at 8 p.m. at Purawisata theatre, Jalan Brigjen Katamso, Yogyakarta.

===Surakarta===
Episodes from the ''Mahabharata'' and ''Ramayana'' are often performed daily in the Wayang Orang Sriwedari theatre in Sriwedari Cultural Park at Jalan Slamet Riyadi 275, [[Surakarta]] city, in Central Java. This daily performance starts at 8.15 p.m. every night, except on Sundays.

===Jakarta===
In Jakarta the ''Wayang Orang Bharata'' group, one of the oldest ''wayang orang'' groups existing in Jakarta, generally stages performances in the Bharata Theatre just north of [[Senen|Pasar Senen]] near the centre of the city each Saturday night.<ref>Edna Tarigan, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140326001909/http://www.jakpost.travel/news/the-surviving-human-puppet-show-in-senen-jakarta-PhI7OSuXMUp6oa80.html "The surviving human puppet show"]}}, ''The Jakarta Post Travel'', 24 March 2014.  See also Maria Yuniar, [http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/myjakarta/my-jakarta-widjanarko-wayang-orang-dancer/401215 "My Jakarta: Widjarno, Wayang Orang Dancer"], ''The Jakarta Globe'', 13 October 2010.</ref>  The Bharata Theatre, which seats around 300 people, was renovated with funds from the Jakarta city government in the early 2000s.<ref>Ani Suswantoro, [http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/03/09/wayang-wong-bharata-survives-love-devotion.html "Wayang Wong Bharata survives on love, devotion"], ''The Jakarta Post'', 9 March 2008.</ref>  The performances are often based around stories of conflict between clans drawn from the ''Mahabharata''.  Presentations involve traditional Javanese dancing, stylised fighting, and periods of dialogue, accompanied by music from a substantial gamelan orchestra.<ref>Novia Stephani, [http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/entertainment/wayang-orang-star-enjoys-her-second-act/493323 "Wyang Orang Star Enjoys Her Second Act"], ''The Jakarta Post'', 24 January 2012.</ref>  Actors representing the well-known [[Punokawan]] clowns, including the much-loved [[Semar]], usually involve themselves in the action, often poking considerable fun at the self-important lives that the princes and high-born warriors lead.<ref>Ani Suswantoro, [http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/03/08/the-story-gatutkaca-luweng039.html "The story of 'Gatutkaca Luweng'"], ''The Jakarta Post'', 9 March 2008.</ref>  Ticket prices are relatively modest, with even the best seats in the Bharata Theatre generally costing (early 2013) less than $US 10 per person.

Other than the weekly ''wayang wong'' performances of Bharata in the Senen area, Jakarta has sometimes staged special annual ''wayang orang'' performances in [[Gedung Kesenian Jakarta]] near Pasar Baru in Central Jakarta, [[Taman Ismail Marzuki]], or in Gedung Pewayangan Kautaman, near [[Taman Mini Indonesia Indah]]. These are not routine performances; schedules should be inquired about in advance at those theatres. There are several ''wayang wong'' troupes in Jakarta, such as Swargaloka, Senawangi, Puspobudoyo and Sekar Budaya Nusantara.

===Television===
''Wayang wong'' performances are sometimes aired on television, such as on [[TVRI]] and ''World of Wayang'' on [[Kompas TV]].

==See also==
{{Portal|Theatre|Indonesia}}
* [[Bambangan cakil]]
* [[Dance in Indonesia]]
* [[Ramayana Ballet]]
* [[Theatre of Indonesia]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=40em}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book
|last1 = Robson |first1 = Stuart
|last2 = Wibisono |first2 = Singgih
|year = 2002
|title = Javanese English Dictionary
|publisher = Periplus Editions
|isbn = 0-7946-0000-X
}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commonscatinline}}

{{Indonesian drama and theatre}}
{{Dance of Indonesia}}
{{Asia topic|Dance in}}
{{Oceania topic|Dance in}}

[[Category:Wayang|Wong]]
[[Category:Javanese culture]]
[[Category:Traditional drama and theatre of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Dance in Indonesia]]
[[Category:Dances of Java]]