Tok Dalang 'Mie Gajah Putih' fights to preserve Kelantan's dying shadow art

New Straits Times

12-07-2025

TUMPAT: In a quiet corner of Wakaf Bharu, beneath the dim glow of oil lamps and the rhythmic beat of traditional instruments, 54-year-old Mohd Suhaimi Ibrahim breathes life into leather puppets that dance across a white screen.
Better known by his stage name 'Mie Gajah Putih', Suhaimi is one of only nine remaining tok dalang or shadow puppet masters in Kelantan.
The father of six has been performing wayang kulit since 2010, continuing a centuries-old tradition that now teeters on the edge of extinction.
"Back then, we used to perform almost every week. Now, maybe once every two months," he said, with a trace of melancholy in his voice.
"The invitations usually come from RTM or village folk who still want wayang kulit at weddings or community events," he said.
He said Kelantan, once the cultural heartland of traditional Malay arts, now has only nine active tok dalang — seven Malays and two Chinese.
"The youngest is just a Year Three student while the oldest is a seasoned master aged 75.
"But with dwindling interest and increasing religious scrutiny, the art form has seen a steep decline.
"It started slowing down in the 1990s after Kelantan came under Pas rule," said Suhaimi.
He added many believe wayang kulit contradicts Islamic teachings.
"So people became hesitant. Some even afraid," he added.
Suhaimi said wayang kulit is far more than entertainment.
"It's a rich blend of storytelling, music, spiritual symbolism, and social commentary.
"Traditional stories like Hikayat Sri Rama still dominate but modern scripts even performances based on government departments or current issues are sometimes included at the organiser's request," he said.
He added a typical show features tok dalang and seven musicians, who play instruments such as the serunai, gongand canang.
"Altogether, there are 42 songs in wayang kulit, with each puppet character assigned a distinct melody.
"Among the most popular pieces are 'Menyembah Raja', 'Pak Yong Muda' and 'Berkaba' (narrative storytelling).
"A tok dalang must know them all," he said, smiling.
He added tok dalang must wear the 'semutar' (a cloth wrapped around the head) as his signature look.
"I usually wear a Pagoda brand shirt, sarong and semutar when performing the show. That's tradition," he added.
Despite his dedication, Suhaimi worries for the future.
"Younger generations show little interest in learning the craft, opting instead for smartphones and social media.
"They think it's hard and it is. You have to follow a structured process.
"Learn the characters, songs, techniques, rhythm. It's not something you master in a week," he added.
Still, Suhaimi continues to perform, hoping each show might inspire just one curious soul to take up the art.
"To be a tok dalang is not just to perform. It's to preserve.
"This is the heritage of our ancestors. If we let it go, we lose a part of who we are," he added.