Wayang Bali
The Wedding of Arjuna
An Ancient Tale of Love and Adventure

I Nyoman Sumandhi
Balinese Shadow Puppet Master
with Alex Khalil and Kaori Okado, gender wayang

Pt. I: Sunday, March 12, 7:00 p.m.
Pt. II: Sunday, March 19, 7:00 p.m.
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater, Balboa Park
Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors and children (under 12)

Over these two evenings, Sumandhi will be forming the story Arjuna Wiwaha, "The Wedding of Arjuna," an eleventh century epic poem from East Java.  It is a portion of the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. The performance will be in English and Kawi, the ancient religious language of Indonesia

I Nyoman Sumandhi was born into a long line of Balinese dalangs or shadow puppet masters.  His father was the renowned dalang Bapak Rajeg, one of Bali’s greatest topeng dancers and puppet masters.   Sumandhi, who has performed widely all over the world, is one of Bali's most highly revered dalangs.  He is the Center for World Music's Year 2000 Artist in Residence.

The shadow puppet theater or Wayang Kulit is regarded as the pinnacle of the arts in Indonesia. Dalangs are recognized as master artists as well as spiritual leaders.

Becoming a dalang involves a mastery of traditional music, dance, and choreography, as well as the repertoire and theatrical techniques associated with the shadow puppet theater.

Pak Sumandhi will be accompanied by Alex Khalil and Kaori Okado, playing gender wayang, a Balinese metallophone ensemble.