Social Criticism in Digital Wayang: Narrative Adaptation of Javanese Shadow Puppetry in New Media

Kritik Sosial dalam Wayang Digital: Adaptasi Naratif Wayang Kulit Jawa dalam Media Baru

Abstract

This study aims to examine the persistence and transformation of the Javanese shadow puppet (wayang kulit) in the context of rapid developments in information and communication technology. Rather than experiencing decline, wayang kulit demonstrates a strong capacity for adaptation by utilising social media as a new public sphere. This research employs a qualitative approach, using narrative analysis to focus on story structures and dialogic interactions as carriers of meaning. The data consist of four YouTube videos of wayang kulit performances by Ki Seno Nugroho, selected based on the highest viewer counts. Ki Seno Nugroho was chosen for his consistent engagement with digital platforms and his broader audience reach than other puppeteers. The findings reveal that Punokawan characters (Semar, Gareng, Petruk, and Bagong) are repositioned as central figures who represent marginalised communities. Through these characters, the performances articulate multidirectional social criticism, targeting elite behaviour, moral degradation, social inequality, conspiratorial practices, and coercive communication styles. Importantly, the study finds a shift in narrative authority, where solutions to social problems are no longer dominated by aristocratic elites but are instead grounded in the voices and experiences of ordinary people. This study contributes to the field of cultural communication and narratology by demonstrating how traditional art forms can function as critical discursive spaces in digital environments. It also highlights the concept of adaptive cultural resilience, in which traditional narratives not only survive but also gain renewed relevance within algorithm-driven media ecosystems.