Shadow Theatre in Java

Book excerpt: "Javanese society and wayang theatre are closely connected; not only are ideas from the wayang stories deeply embedded in Javanese culture, wayang is also a means of expression. The heroes of wayang stories, accompanied by their servants, demons and gods, have been part of everyday life in Java for centuries. They have played the part of role models and examples, but at times they have also served as mouthpieces that are able to express sentiments that would otherwise remain unspoken. Over the centuries, the ancient wayang theatre has developed into a distinctive form of art. Foreign influences provided new stories, characters were added, new styles were refined at the courts, and, in the twentieth century, wayang theatre even served as a vehicle for propaganda, especially during the struggle for independence from Dutch colonial rule."--