Page 7 | Topeng - masks of Central Java

In performance

Contents

Topeng - masks of Central Java (1)

Basic iconography (2)

Alus masks (3)

Gagahan masks (4)

Characters (5)

The spirit of the mask (6)

In performance (7)

Seleh Notes Volume 1 Number 2 March 1994

© By Jo Shaw

Masks illustrated are made by Bambang Suwarno of Surakarta.

Klana, danced in Yogyanese style, by a member of Wahyuning Kuswala.

Physically however it is a different matter. The masks are carved from a single piece of wood, usually balsa because of its lightness.

And they are held on – well I'll give away the secret – by a piece of leather or cloth which is held between the teeth.

This makes possible the magical moment at the start of the dance when the hand goes to the face and, hey presto, the dancer has instantly become King Klana or Gunung Sari.

It also means you have to bite hard for 15 hot sweaty minutes without swallowing. Visibility is extremely restricted, as there are only thin lines cut below the eyes through which to look.

This makes balancing and orientation in the dance area very difficult, and fighting in a mask takes on a whole new element of risk.

Naturally one's dance technique has to be very strong before attempting to perform wearing a mask and head movements in particular must be exaggerated.

But the reward is to feel thoroughly within the character; the possible distractions of the surroundings are gone, and one can truly 'masuk'.

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