Who We Are?
CEMPALA is a consortium dedicated to the preservation and development of Indonesian Wayang, established by the Ullen Sentalu Museum of Javanese Cultural Arts and Gadjah Mada University, Faculty of Philosophy in collaboration with Yale University Art Gallery and the British Museum, representing the Americas and Europe. The name CEMPALA, besides being associated with its role as a crucial instrument in Wayang performances, giving life and vital elements to the entire show, is also an acronym for Centre for Multidisciplinary Puppetry Arts Learning and Appreciation or the Center for Multidisciplinary Study and Development of Wayang Arts in Indonesia and the world.
The consortium aims to explore, interpret, and disseminate the richness and diversity of Wayang, studied from various aspects including its tangible and intangible values such as carving and painting arts, character design, storylines, performances, iconographic and philosophical meanings, and cultural context. The types of Wayang included in CEMPALA’s research and activities encompass Wayang Beber, Kulit, Golek, Krucil, Klithik, Orang, Batu, Cinema, featuring stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panji, Menak, Wahyu, Sadat, Kancil, Revolusi, and much more.
CEMPALA is an open consortium supported by experts in their fields. In addition to being founded together with the Faculty of Philosophy at Gadjah Mada University, the consortium also collaborates with the Study Program of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, as well as the Performing Arts and Fine Arts Studies Program at Gadjah Mada University, which have researchers and wayang practitioners from various academic disciplines. These resources support the realization of CEMPALA’s vision and mission at regional, national, and international levels.
CEMPALA is also open to collaborating with individuals, institutions, or related organizations as stakeholders the Nusantara Wayang culture, thereby ensuring that the benefits provided to the community are increasingly widespread and equitable.
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Vision, Mission & Objectives
CEMPALA The Centre for Multidisciplinary Puppetry Arts Learning and Appreciation (CEMPALA) is a consortium dedicated to the preservation and development of Wayang arts, established by Ullen Sentalu Museum of Javanese Arts and Culture in collaboration with Gadjah Mada University, Faculty of Philosophy.
CEMPALA serves as a center for multidisciplinary study and development of Wayang arts in Indonesia and worldwide, aiming to preserve, interpret, and disseminate the richness of Wayang cultural heritage as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, recognized by UNESCO since 2003.
The richness and diversity of Wayang are studied from various aspects—both intangible and tangible values—including carving and painting arts, character design, storylines, performance arts, as well as the iconographic, philosophical, and cultural meanings behind them. This research covers various types of Wayang such as Wayang Beber, Batu, Kulit, Golek, Krucil, Klithik, Orang, and even Cinema Wayang, featuring stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panji, Menak, Wahyu, Sadat, Kancil, Revolusi, and many other narratives.
Vision
- To preserve and disseminate the existence and significance of various Wayang masterpieces around the world and in cities across Indonesia—whether housed in museums, galleries, institutions, or private collections—for the benefit of Indonesian knowledge and the global community.
- To reproduce and revive the tangible and intangible values of Wayang craftsmanship and performance in accordance with proper traditional principles and guidelines.
- To establish global communication and collaboration networks with various stakeholders in the collection and performance of Wayang worldwide, aiming to strengthen Indonesia’s position in international cultural diplomacy.
- Creating a Virtual Wayang Museum through Cempala Portal and an onsite museum in Yogyakarta, serving as a prototype to be developed in various cities and educational institutions across Indonesia and the world.
Mission
- Documentation various Wayang masterpiece performances from Indonesia and abroad in the form of photos and videos, accompanied by explanations of the characters, history, and cultural context of each work.
- Managing copyrights and reproducing Wayang masterpieces so they can be accessed and enjoyed by the public in countries around the world that appreciate and preserve Wayang.
- Publishing a Wayang Catalog in two editions:
- Collectible Edition as a cultural diplomacy souvenir.
- College Edition for students, researchers, and the general public.
Dewan Penasehat
Steering Committee
- Dr. KPH Samuel Wedyadiningrat
Museum Ullen Sentalu,Yogyakarta, Indonesia | Director Yayasan Ulating Blencong - Dr. Siti Murtiningsih,S.S.,M.Hum
Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia | Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy - Dr. Ruth Barnes
Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Amerika Serikat | Thomas Jaffe Curator of Indo-Pacific Art - Dr. Alexander Green
British Museum, London, Inggris | Henry Ginsburg Curator for Southeast Asia Collection - Dr. Matthew Isaac Cohen
University of Connecticut, Connecticut, United States | Lecturer in the Department of Dramatic Arts
Sekretariat
Secretariat
Daniel Haryodiningrat
Director of Ullen Sentalu Museum, Yogyakarta
Matthew Cohen
Professor of Drama, University of Connecticut, United States
Rudy Wiratama
Lecturer in Javanese Literature Studies, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta
R Bima Slamet Raharja
Lecturer in Javanese Literature Studies, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta
Deti Lucara
Secretary and Digital Content Manager