Wayang Kamasan

Wayang Kamasan painting is one of the classical art form that can be considered the mother art of Balinese culture. The artwork can not be separated from religious values, especially the ritual. In addition to the interests of religious rituals, such as for Ider-Ider (cloth hangings), Kober (flag), and lelontekan (banner), wayang paintings are also used as a decoration, like decorating the walls of the room. This would preserve the usefulness of the classic puppet Kamasan painting until now. One piece of evidence that shows how popular puppet Kamasan paintings are decorative ceiling Kertha Gosa and Taman Gili, the two buildings from the time of the Kingdom Semarapura. Both ancient building has now become one of mainstay attractions Klungkung.

Wayan Classical Themes Kamasan paintings are very distinctive, which is about the story of the Mahabharata or Ramayana. Often within a single painting there are some fragments that make up the storyline. Style of painting such as this remind us of today's comics. The difference, Wayang Kamasan paintings do not contain text as in the comic dialogue.

Kamasan as where the development of classical art and the art of puppet carving silver and brass is just a small village in Klungkung regency, Bali. The village is located about 2 km south of the city which became the capital kabuten Semarapura Klungkung. The distance from Denpasar to this village is 30 km. Through the streets by Ida Bagus Mantra pass this village can be reached by motor vehicle within 45 minutes.

According to historical records, this classic puppet painting Kamasan developed since the time of Majapahit Kingdom. Between the 14th century until the 18th century, the island of Bali ruled the Dalem, the kings of Sri Krishna Kepakisan descendants of the Majapahit Kingdom.


One of the best known is the Dalem Sri Waturenggong which is the grandson of Sri Krishna Kepakisan. In the reign of Dalem this Waturenggong, art and culture in Bali experienced a period of enlightenment because the king is also a fan of art and culture. Dalem Waturenggong Gelgel built his palace in the village. This palace is known as the Castle or the Palace Gift Suwecapura. From this place, Dalem Waturenggong managing government affairs and state security. While at the same time, Kamasan - located on the north Gelgel - ditatanya as one of the special care of the royal centers of cultural arts, education, and religious. Kamasan name in the many inscriptions Children Wungsu Saka 994 (1072 AD) means a good seed.

Kamasan position with a special role in times past that turned out to be a fertile seed of the growth potential of the arts, especially painting puppet. Residents around as if drugged to develop artistic talent at their disposal. Furthermore, "content" continues to give birth Kamasan artists. Call it one of them now is I Nyoman Mandra whose work ever exhibited to the Bentara Budaya, Jakarta.

Wayang Kamasan painting style is uniquely able to attract tourists to visit to the village. Spies and Bonnet, two masters of art that is very influential in the course of painting in Bali, had lodgings in Kamasan. In fact, Spies left the set of gamelan Kamasan selendro to society. (from various source)