RRI.CO.ID, Bandung - While the performance art of wayang golek (wooden puppet) continues to enchant audiences across West Java, the survival of the traditional Sundanese wooden puppet performance relies heavily on a shrinking circle of master artisans working behind the scenes.

At the heart of this preservation effort is Hendar Yudiana, founder of the Hendarraut workshop in Ciparay, Bandung Regency, West Java. Carving wooden puppets since 1997, Hendar has turned a childhood passion for puppet performance into a lifelong mission to safeguard the region's cultural heritage.

Each puppet requires painstaking detail, with the head section alone taking a full day to carve. Today, Hendar's creations are sought after not only by professional puppeteers (dalang) for stage performances, but also by general art collectors and tourists seeking iconic figures such as the Pandawa Lima, Gatotkaca, and Punakawan.

To ensure the craft endures, Hendar has turned his workshop into a family endeavor, involving his children in making the limbs and body structures, while his father, Abah Uus, mentors local community members who wish to learn the art.

The dedication of craftsmen in Ciparay has drawn widespread praise from local art enthusiasts, community members, and collectors who view these artisans as vital guardians of West Java's cultural identity.

Astuti, a local art enthusiast and collector from Bandung, highlighted the unique value of handmade puppets in a modern age dominated by mass production.

"Owning an authentic, hand-carved wayang golek feels like holding a piece of living history in your hands, In an era where everything is factory-made, the detail and soul that Hendar puts into the facial expressions of each puppet cannot be replicated. It’s reassuring to see his family keeping this tradition alive," Astuti shared.

Meanwhile, Dedi, a local youth and cultural learner in Bandung Regency, emphasized the importance of regeneration and community workshops.

"Many young people in our area love watching wayang golek shows, but very few know how much skill goes into making just one puppet, Having elders like Abah Uus and Hendar open their doors to teach the younger generation gives us a chance to learn the craft and make sure our Sundanese heritage doesn't fade away," Dedi said. (Naura Sofia-EN)