Gianyar, Regency

“Wayang Babad” from Gianyar

Made Juanda is a puppeteer of shadow play from Sukawati Village, Gianyar and was born on 12 October 1966 and previously was known as kid puppeteer. Even, he was appointed by the late Wayan Madra to represent Gianyar Regency on the first contest of kid puppeteer all over Bali. Madra was a renowned puppeteer in 1970s and died in 1980.

Why was Juanda selected? Because when he became a ‘katengkong’ (puppeteer assistant) of Wayan Madra, he actively paid attention the gesture of the puppeteer on a show. “He knew that I was so critical, even he himself admitted to making a mistake on the show so he was ashamed of me,” he recalled.
This overweight man has deeply involved in the profession of puppeteer since he took part in such kid puppeteer contest. He was directly under guidance of Wayan Madra. Due to guidance and advice of this famous puppeteer, Juanda is capable of winning the first rank in Bali provincial level and straightforwardly represented Bali to national level. In national level, he achieved the first champion for the category of presentation and performance. To accomplish the rank in a competition even makes him have less self-confident. His self-confidence as puppeteer set about flourishing after leaving the campus of ASTI (Academy of Indonesian Performing Arts) Denpasar.
On deeply involving his career as a puppeteer, Juanda suffered from peculiar illness. It was unknown what caused it. His stamina was always weak and the hair fell out. He has tried any methods but failed. With the mind in stressed condition, he often went to Purnama Beach (Sukawati) and dreamed day there.
Once upon a time, unintentionally he spun his fingers. In the afternoon, after arriving from the beach, he sat down relaxingly while watching television. Suddenly, his body was getting warmer and sweated. Since then, he recovered up to these days.
After the death of his guru, Wayan Madra, he learned under guidance of Wayan Ganjreng, Ketut Narta and Wayan Wija. All of them are celebrated puppeteers so he could master Wayang Parwa and Ramayana style. Even, Juanda also master Wayang Babad.
Wayang Parwa is puppet shadow play that presents the storyline of Mahabharata epic, while Wayang Ramayana recounts the journey of the Prince Rama and Wayang Babad tells about the chronicle of Bali. “I am going to present the Wayang Babad at this Bali Arts Festival (BAF),” said Juanda.
The late Ketut Klinik, a puppeteer who is also from Sukawati Village, popularized Wayang Babad. Are you interested? Simply come to the arena of BAF at Art Center Denpasar on Tuesday (28 June) at 20:00 Local Time.
When Bali Travel News made a visit to Juanda’s house, he was doing an exercise together with the gamelan player that will accompany his performance at BAF. His musical accompaniment is Semara Pegulingan Rambat with 15 gamelan players. “At the present time, we should carry the chronicle storyline carefully remembering the Balinese are fanatic to their clans. We must be neutral to avoid insulting any parties,” he said.
The storyline that will be taken is the passage of Kresna Kepakisan in Bali. At that time, the kings of Bali Age (the native of Bali) carried out a struggle because the newly king did not run the tradition that has been practiced for so long by the Bali Aga community.(BTN/Made Suambara)