KOTA BHARU, Oct 8 — The story of a Kelantan Peranakan Chinese family preserving the heritage of wayang kulit, the meticulous work of a craftsman bringing characters to life from pieces of cowhide, and the determination of a 10-year-old child to become the next generation of practitioners are proof that the traditional art is still alive.
But beyond these stories lies a crucial question: can wayang kulit remain relevant in a world increasingly driven by technology, changing lifestyles and the evolving tastes of younger generations?
Senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan’s (UMK) Faculty of Creative Technology and Heritage, Mohd Aswawi Isa, believes its survival depends on how far society is prepared to view wayang kulit as a cultural treasure that must be preserved, rather than merely a traditional performance.
