Wayang kulit: Digital puppetry character rigging using Maya MEL language

The shadow play theatre is one of the most ancient forms of all traditional theatres in Malaysia. Wayang Kulit is slowly being forgotten by young generation and also losing its identity as the heritage of country. The Wayang Kulit applying digital puppetry using manipulation and performance of digitally animated 2D or 3D figures and objects in a virtual environment are rendered in real-time by computer workstation. This research will focus on the study and implementation of Maya MEL Animation Programming language on character rigging to wayang kulit digital puppetry models. At the end of this research, it will help to give a basic understanding on skeletons, bones, deforming, and inverse kinematics on wayang kulit digital puppetry. The beauty and unique features of a shadow play has motivated us to preserve this traditional Malay performing art in a digital form.