Chinese Puppet Wayang

[Daoyin]

Pic 1 : The Stage is set.

There are approximately 30 puppet organisations in Singapore keeping the tradition alive.
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[Daoyin]

Pic 2: The actor

Many of the puppeters are in their later years. Their popularity fading along with Chinese opera shows. Now replaced by Getai shows during that month.
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[Daoyin]

Closing this thread as Photobucket is getting very unfriendly by asking for payment ( an atmospheric amount)

OK. Brought the photos over to Imgur. Have re-pasted the previous two photos and will continue from here.

 

[Daoyin]

Pic 3: The Puppeteer.

What goes behind the screen. The puppeteer skillfully pulls the strings while singing. She is accompanied by a small band of musicians.

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[Daoyin]

Pic 4: The main cast.

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[Daoyin]

Pic 5: Close up

The puppets are lavishly dressed and about a metre tall. They depict generals, ladies, scholars etc and can number more than a hundred.
Which puppets are brought out depends on the story of the night.
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[Daoyin]

Pic 6. Close up

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[Daoyin]

Pic 7: Another close up.

Note the stylised head dress.
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[Daoyin]

Pic 8: Final close up

You can imagine them as real actors with their make up.
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[Daoyin]

Pic 9 : The people who makes it work.

Changed to a look from the past as these scenes will belong there soon.
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[Daoyin]

Pic 10: Musician playing in a band of three.

Play it again Sam.
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[Daoyin]

Pic 11: Another shot.

A multi talented musician. Blow it again Sam.
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[Daoyin]

Pic 12: The second in the band.

Playing away, each to their own dreams and thoughts.
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[Daoyin]

Pic 13: The final member of the band.

Every band needs a percussionist. Even such a small trio.
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[Daoyin]

Pic 14: Final photo.

It can get lonely performing to those who have gone west. No human audience that night to appreciate an art brought over with the Chinese diaspora all those years ago. It is gratifying to see these performers keeping faith even as those in the main land also struggle with theirs.
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