The Creativity of Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppet) Crafts in Surakarta

Abstract

Creativity is an ability to create something, which keeps developing in an individual’s self, including creating crafts and wayang kulit (shadow puppets). The objective of this research is to explain the creativity in wayang kulit crafts and various types of leather craftworks as innovation of Surakarta wayang purwa. This study adopts the characteristics of qualitative reasoning. The type of puppet which is most popular, widely spread, and has the most characters in Java (particularly in Surakarta) is wayang kulit Purwa. Wayang kulit is created through such processes as drawing sketch, making pattern or mbabon through scratching, carving, coloring, and finishing. The creation of leather crafts to develop wayang purwa results in innovative creation of wayang kulit for performance, leather craftworks to develop wayang Purwa, several wayang kulit kreasi baru (new creation), leather craftworks for wall decoration, decorative lamps, rana (room dividers) with decorative motifs of wayang, and souvenirs.

Keywords: creative, crafts, wayang kulit