UNESCO grants RM9k to UniKL MIIT for Wayang Kulit Workshop

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dahlan Abdul Ghani from Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT) has been awarded a RM9,000 grant by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Malaysian National Commission to organise a workshop on digitally preserving Malaysian Shadow Play Puppetry.

Dr. Dahlan, commenting on the award, stated that it aims to preserve and safeguard the unique traditional Shadow Play (Wayang Kulit), which UNESCO designated as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 7, 2003.

“This is the first time that UniKL MIIT has received a grant from UNESCO specifically related to performing arts, particularly in the field of shadow puppetry, leveraging our expertise and experience. The workshop is scheduled to take place on August 12, 2023, at UniKL MIIT,” he told.

He explained that this grant will primarily focus on educating participants about the background of Malaysian shadow puppetry, including character traits and types, showcasing sample performances, exploring the semiotics embedded in puppet design, and addressing the challenges that arise within the domain of shadow puppetry.

It will also provide a comprehensive experience, including the presentation of research findings, hands-on shadow puppet design, interactive 3D visualisation modelling of Shadow Puppetry, and the opportunity to learn from Malaysian master puppeteers through insightful discussions and demonstrations.

The workshop anticipates the participation of attendees from various countries, including China, Indonesia, and Thailand, as well as local schools in the Klang Valley area.

“Therefore, this workshop aims to offer a broader perspective on the preservation of Malaysian shadow puppetry arts. It emphasises the need for concerted efforts to ensure the sustainable preservation of these traditional heritage arts for the benefit of current and future generations,” said Dr. Dahlan.