Juma'ali, Wayang Wolak-walik puppeteer, passes away in Malang

The wolak-walik puppet mastermind, Juma'ali, died in Malang, East Java, due to heart disease.

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

Juma'ali, the Wolak-Walik wayang maker and his puppet figures, Saturday (16/3/2024).

MALANG, KOMPAS — Juma'ali (57), artist known as the puppeteer of wayang wolak-walik, died on Sunday (5 /5/2024) afternoon in Malang, East Java. During his life, Juma'ali was known as an artist who was full of improvisation and who was persistent in fighting for the advancement of art and culture.

According to Juma'ali's son, Damar Rell Kalyaj, his father passed away due to heart disease. A few years ago, Juma'ali also suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized for treatment.

"In 2019, I also had a heart attack and I was examined at Lavalette Hospital, Malang. Since then, I haven't wanted to have any more check-ups," said Damar when visited at the funeral home.

One of the Malang artists and friends of the deceased, Rurid Rudianto, said that on Sunday at around 10.00, Juma'ali came to his shop in the Sukun area, Kepanjen, Malang Regency. The man who is familiarly called Lek Jum then sat in the back gazebo to drink coffee.

"As usual he immediately sat down in his 'power' place. The people are still fresh and fit, people usually come early. "Almost every day he comes here, sometimes he arrives before the waiter arrives," said Rurid.

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

Juma'ali, the Wolak-Walik puppet maker, and the puppet figures he made, Saturday (16/3/2024).

According to Rurid, as usual, Juma'ali ordered black coffee without sugar and warm water. After that, Juma'ali fell asleep.

"The information is that he slept for a long time on the pillow of his bag. Around 13.00, he said he was still snoring. He still had a pulse. "I then called my wife and told me to take her to the hospital," he said.

However, it turns out that Juma'ali had breathed his last breath. According to Rurid, a few days before, Juma'ali had complained of feeling cold in his body and hands. He had been advised to seek medical treatment.

Also read: Juma'ali and Messages Through Wayang Wolak-walik

This Sunday, Juma'ali actually plans to go to Yogyakarta to attend an event by the Indonesian Muslim Artists and Cultural Artists (Lesbumi) event.

Rurid assesses that Juma'ali is a teacher and role model for many other artists. "He is sincere, never complains, and always strives for the advancement of art and culture," he said.

DAHLIA IRAWATI

The atmosphere at the funeral home for the late Juma'ali in Ngadilangkung Village, Kepanjen District, Malang Regency, East Java, Sunday (5/5/2024) evening.

Until now, Juma'ali has been known as a wolak-walik puppeteer. Unlike conventional puppets, wolak-walik puppets do not adhere to any rules, both in terms of plot and characters.

In terms of form, wolak-walik puppet is similar to the general leather puppet. However, in a leather puppet show, there is usually only one puppeteer who controls the puppet from one side of the screen, while in a wolak-walik puppet show, the screen can be used by two puppeteers from both sides of the screen.

Also read: Joko Pinurbo dies, Indonesia loses its best poet

One of the puppet masters in the wolak-walik puppet show can be replaced by anyone who wants to be directly involved in the performance. Their presence can also be substituted by other art forms that support the stage theme, such as dance and others.

In an interview with Kompas, some time ago, Juma'ali said that wayang wolak-walik depicts the current condition where people who have power and wealth can turn things around.

"Philosophically, it is now a matter of who has the power to make right things wrong and vice versa. While upright people do not have a place. So, philosophically, anything can be made good or bad by anyone who has power, who has money," said Juma'ali.

Children were playing wayang wolak walik with Juma'ali, some time ago.

In a social media post regarding the passing of Juma'ali, a cultural figure in Malang, Dwi Cahyono stated that the deceased was a steadfast individual in pursuing the path of the arts. Juma'ali's activities also extended beyond the Malang Raya region, reaching areas outside of East Java.

"The improvisation and spontaneity flow, interactively, becoming the inherent characteristic of presenting art. The goal is to educate the public and provide enjoyment or entertainment," said Dwi.

He is sincere, never complains, and always strives for the advancement of art and culture.

According to Dwi, in the last few years, Juma'ali introduced a form of art which he called "cocot literature". In Javanese, cocot means mouth.

In his solo art performance, Juma'ali, who is a former Head of the Theater Department at the Wilwatikta College of Arts in Surabaya, appeared as a storyteller as well as an accompanist with the tambourine and cymbal.