Wayang kulit is among Malaysia’s traditional art forms that are gradually fading, and it is not inconceivable that one day this shadow theatre, once immensely popular across the east coast and northern and southern regions of the country, could become little more than a footnote in the nation’s historical records.
In the third installment of this special report, Bernama shares the story of a young practitioner whose passion offers hope that the traditional art can survive for generations to come.
While children his age may spend their free time playing video games, 10-year-old Nik Imanuddin Hadeef Nik Izdiharuddin is engrossed in wayang kulit puppets, practising different voices for each character just like a seasoned puppeteer.
Deeply passionate about the traditional art, the young boy is also adept at drawing and carving wayang kulit puppets, besides learning to play the musical instruments that accompany the performances.
None of this was forced upon him. Instead, it all stemmed from an interest sparked by a school assignment about two years ago.
“I want to be a doctor, but I also want to play wayang kulit until I die,” the youngster told Bernama at his home in Kampung Kubang Sipot here.
IT ALL STARTED WITH A SCIENCE ASSIGNMENT
The young boy’s talent for wayang kulit was discovered quite by chance when he was in Year Two, after his Science teacher asked him and his classmates to prepare an object capable of producing a shadow as part of their lesson.
Back home, the youngest of two siblings told his mother, Nur Hazween Mohd Hasni, 39, about the assignment.
“He came home and said his teacher wanted an object that could produce a shadow. So I suggested that we make wayang kulit puppets to create the shadow. That was how it all began,” his mother told Bernama.
According to Nur Hazween, they used cardboard to make wayang kulit puppets depicting characters such as ‘Dewa Panah’ and ‘Pohon Beringin’, which he then took to school.
Unexpectedly, the experience of making the puppets sparked the young boy’s curiosity about the traditional art.
“After I submitted the assignment, I went home and asked my mother to make more puppets, one after another,” said Nik Imanuddin Hadeef.
A fan of the Pak Dogol character in Hikayat Seri Rama, the youngster considers him the most impressive character.
“He can fight jinn and other huge creatures,” he said, adding that he is becoming increasingly skilled at manipulating the character’s puppet behind the white screen, while also changing his voice and intonation to suit the storyline.
However, he admits that mastering the voices of different characters remains one of his biggest challenges.
“Every character has its own voice, which is part of its identity, and the puppeteer has to make sure the audience can distinguish each character just by its voice. For me, it is really difficult to switch from one voice to another,” he said.
Despite the challenge, Nik Imanuddin Hadeef refuses to give up, especially now that he is being guided by Kelantan wayang kulit practitioner Kang Boon Ann, better known as Che Ann, founder of the Sri Cindayu Wayang Kulit Association.
MEETING HIS MENTOR THROUGH TIKTOK
His growing interest in wayang kulit prompted the young boy to turn to social media, particularly TikTok, to learn more about the traditional art, eventually leading him to the Sri Cindayu Wayang Kulit Association’s page.
“I was scrolling through TikTok when I came across Che Ann’s page. Since then, I have always followed his posts. I also wanted to meet him,” he said, adding that he eventually met Che Ann early last year.
The meeting marked a turning point for Nik Imanuddin Hadeef, who was subsequently accepted for training with the Sri Cindayu Wayang Kulit Association.
Under Che Ann’s guidance, he learned how to manipulate the puppets, play the musical instruments used in wayang kulit performances and master the basics of becoming a puppeteer.
For him, every training session is an opportunity to return home with something new to learn.
FIRST TASTE OF THE STAGE
His dedication to training eventually opened the door for Nik Imanuddin Hadeef to make his debut performance at Tok Bali alongside his mentor early last year.
The experience remains fresh in his memory.
“I was very happy because it was my first time performing in front of people,” he said.
Performing before an audience was a very different experience from practising at home. On a real stage, he had to overcome his nervousness, concentrate on every movement of the puppet and ensure that the performance went smoothly.
Although he has performed only once so far, the experience has fuelled his determination to continue honing his skills.
THROUGH A MOTHER’S EYES
For Nur Hazween, her son’s initial interest in wayang kulit was simply another hobby, as Imanuddin Hadeef had shown an interest in various forms of art from a young age, including playing musical instruments such as the recorder and keyboard.
“He really likes the arts. He enjoys drawing and music too. But when I saw how deeply he was getting into wayang kulit, I realised that his interest lies more in traditional arts,” she said.
According to Nur Hazween, the interest may have been inherited from her father, Mohd Hasni Mat Hassan, 74, a former lecturer in the arts at the Institute of Teacher Education.
“My siblings and I also enjoy drawing, so I think the talent was passed down to Imanuddin Hadeef,” said Nur Hazween, a full-time housewife.
She said her eldest son, 12-year-old Nik Ihsanuddin Hafeey, is interested only in drawing animation and has no interest in wayang kulit.
Elaborating, she said her younger son had also undergone a noticeable change in personality since becoming actively involved in wayang kulit.
“My son used to be shy, but now he is more confident. His interaction with people has also improved, including when he performs,” she said.
She added that the newfound confidence had also helped her son participate in various school competitions, including storytelling and Da’i Cilik.
Although these activities are not directly related to wayang kulit, she said they had helped develop his communication skills and courage.
At the same time, she makes sure that her son does not neglect his studies and only practises wayang kulit during his free time.
Training sessions with the association are also arranged around Nik Imanuddin Hadeef’s school schedule, as she believes his interest should continue to be nurtured to help preserve the traditional art.
“We must not allow this traditional art to be forgotten with time. We have to pass it on to the next generation so that they know about it and do not forget it,” she said.
A FATHER’S SUPPORT
Imanuddin Hadeef’s passion for wayang kulit has also, in turn, sparked an interest in his father, Nik Izdiharuddin Abu Bakar, 39.
“Previously, we did not know much about wayang kulit. When he became interested in it, we started learning about it and exploring it together,” said his father, who works as an ambulance driver at the Lundang Paku Health Clinic.
According to him, the main challenge is not the cost or time involved, but ensuring that Nik Imanuddin Hadeef is able to balance his studies with his passion.
“The challenge is dividing his time between studying and playing wayang kulit,” he said.
He expressed gratitude that the school understands his son’s interest and continues to remind him not to neglect his studies.
“Children nowadays spend a lot of time on gadgets. They also have less exposure to traditional games.
“If schools could introduce and showcase traditional games to children, at least they would know about the heritage that we have,” he said.
He also has no intention of preventing his son from pursuing wayang kulit when he grows up.
“If that is his choice, we will support him. There is nothing wrong with wayang kulit,” he said, expressing hope that his son would one day perform at more venues and become one of the young practitioners helping to revive the traditional art.
HOPE IN THE HANDS OF A NEW GENERATION
In a modern world driven by technology and filled with digital entertainment, Nik Imanuddin Hadeef has chosen a path that may be different from that of most children his age.
One day, he may become a doctor, as he dreams of becoming, or perhaps a respected tok dalang.
For now, however, the youngster is determined to learn an art form that is gradually fading, offering a glimmer of hope that wayang kulit can once again flourish if the same passion is nurtured among children of his generation.
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