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Kadek Wira

Kadek Wira has demonstrated great skill and talent within Balinese Wayang, a traditional ceremony fostering spirituality, education, and entertainment through dance and shadow puppeteering, and he hopes to spread its popularity throughout the world.

"I was born on April 15, 1975. For generations, my family has been known for making shadow puppets called 'Wayang Kulit.' I started to learn how to make these puppets from my father, Wayan Nartha, around 1986.

"I am inspired by classic stories such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata and other traditional legends. Creating new designs gives a special satisfaction to me. I use cowhide, acrylic, coffee wood and brass for my works.

"In my spare time, I teach people in my neighborhood who want to learn and know more about Balinese puppets. One time there was an American girl who came to my house and asked me to teach her how to make puppets, she is really interested in Balinese culture.

"I have held several exhibitions in Bai and in Java and in 1997 I received a prize as a second winner for the best puppet maker in Bali."

Through a ceremony called Wayang Kulit, shadow puppets play a significant role in Balinese moral and spiritual instruction. Puppet masters, or dalangs, reenact Hindu stories and epics, not only controlling the puppet performance but also singing in four different languages and arranging the lighting, usually produced with oil lamps. The dalang's position also requires great endurance, as the Wayang Kulit ceremony generally lasts three to six hours.