Paper short abstract:

The paper will focus on the process of informal and formal learning process of becoming a puppeteer (dalang) in Indonesian shadow theatre, showing how and when he/she has transformed into an artist in the Western sense of the term.

Paper long abstract:

In traditional Indonesian shadow theatre - wayang kulit the most important person is dalang - one person who narrates, animates and lends voices to all characters appearing during the performance and also acts as playwright, conductor, director or kind of curator taking care of the shape of the whole performance, being a philosopher, spiritual guide and guru as well.

100 years ago still the only option for becoming a dalang was to go on a long-term, informal "training" under the guidance of a master, usually a father or grandfather. Disciples started their studies in childhood, learning by observing and imitating. The change took place at the beginning of the 20th century, in colonial era - the first school for dalangs was opened in 1923 and the program focused not only on practical skills, spiritual and philosophical aspects of being a puppeteer, but students also learned about history and theory of shadow theatre. Therefore, the creation of schools is considered the culmination of the colonial process of constructing a traditional, "normative" shadow theater and the beginning of changes in the perception of the role of dalang. Schools, opened first at the Sultan palaces, and after Indonesia regained independence also by the state, played a decisive role in transforming the dalang into an artist in the Western sense of the term.

The paper will focus on showing the changes that have taken place in the dalang's learning process since the founding of the first schools until the beginning of the 21st century.