This puppet represents Kumbhakarna from the Hindu epic, the Ramayana in the Balinese 'wayang kulit' or leather shadow puppet theatre tradition. He is the brother of Rawana (Ravana). The Ramayana relates the struggle of Rama and his brother Laksmana (Lakshamana) in the rescue of his wife, Dewi Sita (Sita), from the ogre king Rawana.The majority of the 'wayang kulit' plays performed are drawn from the two great Hindu epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana as well as local stories. 'Wayang kulit' in Bali is like traditionally performed in temples, although today more likely to be viewed as entertainment for tourists.
