“Central Javanese Gamelan Concert and Shadow Puppetry” (Institute of Sacred Music)

Shadow puppetry is a traditional art form in many parts of Southeast Asia. Javanese shadow puppetry is considered one of the main types of shadow puppetry forms which has circulated widely and which has been transformed into local forms in other parts of Southeast Asia. While there are other local and indigenous stories told through shadow puppetry and music, two Indian epics, the Mahabarata and Ramayana, have been the major sources and inspiration of story telling traditions in shadow puppetry performances.