Javanese Punakawan
Punakawan is a family of characters in Javanese wayang.
Punakawan is a family of characters in Javanese wayang, they are sometimes referred to as "clown-servants" because they normally are associated with the story's hero, and provide humorous and philosophical interludes.
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Semar is the father of Gareng (oldest son), Petruk, and Bagong (youngest son).
These characters did not originate in the Hindu epics, but were added later, possibly to introduce mystical aspects of Islam into the Hindu-Javanese stories. They provide something akin to a political cabaret, dealing with gossip and contemporary affairs
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The puppets figures themselves vary from place to place. In Central Java the city of Surakarta (Solo) is most famous and is the most commonly imitated style of puppets. Regional styles of shadow puppets can also be found in West Java, Banyumas, Cirebon.
Punakawan are clever yet funny characters
 Semar
Semar is a character in Javanese mythology who frequently appears in wayang shadow plays. He is one of the punokawan (clowns). Semar is in fact the most powerful of all Gods in the wayang genre and on occasions Batara Guru (the Hindu god Siva) has to submit to him.
Semar is portrayed as being immensely fat, with heavy breasts and an enormous derriere. He is decorated like a woman but dressed as a man which gives him an ambiguous identity, heightening the mystical quality of his character. He is the dhanyang (guardian spirit) of Java, and is regarded by some as the most sacred figure of the wayang set. He is said to be the god Sang Hyang Ismaya in human form.
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 Gareng
Gareng is often regarded as the elder son of Semar. He is a deformed dwarf with crooked and disjointed arms, and has yaw sores on his feet. He specialises in puns and sly insinuations.
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 Petruk
Petruk, the second son of Semar, is easily recognised by his tall and scrawny build. He has a large, predatory mouth and a long nose. He provides constant laughter with his practical jokes and comic horseplay
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 Bagong
Bagong is the youngest son of Semar. Bagong. He is a very fat man with a big belly and enormous buttocks, so he can sit comfortably
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In Javanese wayang, the punokawan are the clown servants of the hero. There are four of them, Semar (also known as Ki Lurah Semar), Petruk, Gareng and Bagong. Semar is the personification of a deity, sometimes said to the be the dhanyang or guardian spirit of the island of Java. In Javanese mythology, deities can only manifest themselves as ugly or otherwise unprepossessing humans, and so Semar is always portrayed as short and fat with a pug nose and a dangling hernia.
His three companions are his adpoted sons, given to Semar as votaries by their parents. Petruk is portrayed as tall and gangling with a long nose, Gareng as short with a club foot and Bagong as obese.
The punokawan always appear in the second act of a wayang performance - pathet sanga - as servants to the hero of the story regardless of who that hero is.
Similar characters appear in other Indonesian wayang and theatrical traditions, including those of Bali and Sunda, under different names.
Togog and Limbuk is
other funny characters in javanese wayang |
Togog
Togog is one of the clown servants for the Kurwa. Some claim he is actually Semar's brother. Other names are Catugora and Wijamantri. He was an early mercenary. |
Limbuk & Petruk
Limbuk is Cangik daughter, also a servant woman incompetent. Although the appearance is very different with his mother, a scrawny, Limbuk very fat, he also has the same sense of confidence will be high power tariknya. He also brought a bunch to her everywhere. Loud voice, low and touching the inept. |
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