Wayang, the oldest Indonesian art performing

In the era of King Balitung, his kingdom is located around Borobudur temple in Central Java, there is an indication that there has been a puppet performing. This puppet show is mentioned in an inscription of a copper plate, which is currently at the Royal Institute of Amsterdam. The inscription mentioned that during the reign of King Balitung there was a ritual performance in the play that told the story of Mahabharata and Ramayana. The story is Bhimaya Kumara, this is probably a story related to Bima and it was performed as a shadow theater. A shadow theater is known as a wayang kulit show.
Some experts say that the puppet is from India because epic Mahabharata and Ramayana are always told in wayang shows. But almost all terms in wayang world are taken from Java language.  The terms are kelir, blencong, cempala, kepyak, and wayang. Besides, in the arrangement of a traditional house in Java, we will find the parts of the room: emper, pendhapa, omah mburi, gandhok senthong and  a special room for ringgit(pringgitan). Pringgitan or ringgit is another name of wayang.
Apart from the term, some experts conclude that wayang is from Java, as a combination of Javanese culture with Hindu culture, because some data shows that the arrival of Indian traders to Indonesia was the 4th century, while the historical evidence of the inscription said that the puppet show was in the late of 7th century.

The story in wayang shows always uses the epic story of Ramayana and Mahabharata that are from India. But in wayang purwa show (it is known as wayang kulit), the story has been adapted to the conditions in the Java community. The story is taken from the book of the ancient Javanese book most often called Kakawin. Kakawin is written by Javanese author. The story in kakawin is based from Mahabharata and Ramayana epic but it had been adapted to Java's legend and stories, especially some Java kings’ story. And the book is written in ancient Javanese language. The author of this kakawin is called Empu. Some famous kakawins that usually told in wayang shows are Arjunawiwaha, written by Empu Kanwa, Bharatayuda, written by Empu Sedah and Empu Panuluh, Kresnayana, written by Triguna, and  Ghatotkacha Sraya written by Empu Panuluh and others.

In history, puppet show is always associated with a particular ceremony. The inscription on the king Airlangga, 11th century also mentioned the existence of puppet shows, and the purpose of the show is always associated with a particular ceremony. Puppet shows are usually held at the circumcision ceremony. For example  a wayang show in the ceremony of getting rid of evil and danger in a village. While nowadays wayang show is held in some ceremony, such as anniversary of a city or an institution, wedding ceremony, or heroic ceremony. And the story in wayang show always related to the purpose of the reason why the ceremony is held.