Kresna.

[WAYANG KULIT: INDONESIAN SHADOW PUPPETS].

Published by (Before1970s)., Indonesia., 1970

About this Item

Water buffalo hide, gilt and pigment, elaborately chiselled and cut out, 54 x 69 cms (arms fully extended), painted both sides, jointed arms, each affixed to horn batons and another spliced horn baton holding the body. This Javanese 'wayang kulit' or leather shadow puppet, represents Kresna (Krishna) in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. His importance and the reasons for his great regard is that he is considered the 8th avatar of the god Wisnu (Visnu), the protector and preserver of good and destroyer of evil. The 7th avatar is Rama. In Soeharto?s New Order regime, this ?lineage? of avatars ?particularly Rama--became significant in their own mythical presentation [to themselves] of the regime. It is in the Ramayana?not Mahabharata?that the final battle against evil forces was to be fought and the dharma upheld. "Kresna is part God, an incarnation of the mighty Wisnu. He is the consummate politician, diplomat and strategist of war. By far the most intellectually brilliant of the Pendawa [sic] faction, it is Kresna who makes their final victory possible. On the other hand, he is the conscienceless liar and an unscrupulous schemer who never hesitates to break the rules when he feels it necessary" (Benedict R. O'G. Anderson, "Mythology and the Tolerance of the Javanese" Cornell, 1965). Also see: Joko Susilo, Eisler Shadow-Puppet Collection Catalogue, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine. A particularly fine example. Purchased in Java in the early 1970s. Seller Inventory # 216707

Bibliographic Details

Title: Kresna.

Publisher: (Before1970s)., Indonesia.

Publication Date: 1970

Binding: Hardcover