What function do Wayang performance serve in Java? Does the contemporary emphasis on singing and clown scenes aid or detract from it's effectiveness of wayang?
The function of wayang puppetry centers on the role of providing a literary outlet for those that ahve no exposure to any form of literature. The wayang emphasis of focusing on the "elite" is seen as to be a contradictory to the heavily rural and "non-elite" of rural Java. Marshall Clark explains about the strict hierarchical system that is in place in Java influences the role that wayang plays in the the everyday construction and use. This is opposed by the use of the more contemporary clown scene to be in contrast with the regime at the time, and allowing wayang practitioners to subvert the strict lines of social hierarchy (Clark 160). The overal effectiveness is not harmed, but altered by this inclusion of singing and clown scenes. This is inclusion of these methods allows for a greater inclusion of critiquing a given power through the use of texts that may be seen as safe or complacent. Clark notes this by talking about the changes in the wayang world by noting the evolution of the wayang characters to that of "teenagers" (163). This is an interesting metaphor to parallel a given cultural performance practice with it's evolution to that of a teenager. This metaphor works well to the inclusion of clown scenes and singing, and I don't know about most people, but my teenage years were a time I explored concepts like music and comedy more so. But how does this use of these practices make wayang more effective. Well like being a teenager, the inclusion of a new form always makes stumbles and might even be a bit heavy handed in their execution of ideas. Clark points out the wayang play Arijuna Drop-Out, where the subject matter is very politically charged in order to get across the point of corruption within the Javanese government (163). Although this is a bit heavy handed, it is however useful for a culture to have room to stretch out what can be done with traditional texts in a contemporary setting. This stretching room also allows for a greater inclusion of texts that wouldn't have be considered before because of political pressure. Hopefully these angsty teenager stages of wayang will eventually grow into an adult and find a way to combine the political and traditional in subtle and nuanced ways.
-Jake Beck
You answer leads to the inevitable question of -- what function does literature serve in this culture?
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