Reimagine timeless Wayang Kulit stories for a new audience through attractive mediums such as animation and webcomics, honouring tradition while injecting a fresh digital twist.

From left: Ms. Haslina Hashim, Head School of Computing (SoC) Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Tan Chin Ike, Danish Adeeka Luhazemi, Potrii Tirumahal Devi Suresh Naidu, Kendra Moss Ting, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Vinothini Kasinathan and Ms. Nur Amira Abdul Majid.

Even though ancient shadow puppets are now forgotten, they might have a better future if they were given a digital makeover that addressed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

That is the essence of the Videre Lumina project, an innovative initiative at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) that is reviving the art of Wayang Kulit, a traditional Malay shadow puppet theatre.

Videre Lumina, meaning ‘Seeing the Lights’ in Latin, perfectly captures the project’s goal: using Wayang Kulit to shed light on the SDGs.

Spearheaded by esteemed lecturers, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Vinothini Kasinathan and Ms. Haslina Hashim, Videre Lumina empowers students to become digital storytellers.

What is the challenge? Reimagine timeless Wayang Kulit stories for a new audience through attractive mediums such as animation and webcomics, honouring tradition while injecting a fresh digital twist.

The project revolved around the APU Videre Lumina competition. Students with expertise in gaming and multimedia were tasked with producing a two to three-minute video showcasing Wayang Kulit characters from the Java epic Ramayana.

Ms. Haslina Hashim is giving an explanation alongside Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Vinothini Kasinathan and Ms. Nur Amira Abdul Majid who is present online.

Templates were provided to kickstart their creativity, and with their digital skills, they were off! This was not only an opportunity to demonstrate their skills, but it also linked with SDG 4.7, which promotes education for sustainable development.

By incorporating Wayang Kulit, the project aimed to nurture appreciation for cultural diversity while fostering sustainable practices.

A Resounding Success

The competition drew 35 contestants, who demonstrated their creativity through video submissions. Students from Malaysia and various international backgrounds contributed their distinct insights to the table.

The top three videos stood out for their expert utilisation of Wayang Kulit characters, intriguing plots, and boundless creativity.

Danish Adeeka Luhazemi, Kendra Moss Ting, and Potrii Tirumahal Devi Suresh Naidu received awards for their outstanding performance.

According to Danish Adeeka, Videre Lumina was an enlightening adventure for everyone.

From left, Kendra Moss Ting, Danish Adeeka Luhazemi and Potrii Tirumahal Devi Suresh Naidu are the Top 3 Videre Lumina winners.

“Videre Lumina went beyond the scope of a typical competition. It was an exploration of education, culture, and communication, emphasising the importance of cultural heritage in tackling global issues.

“Students were not just flexing their creative muscles; they were contributing meaningfully to the conversation about sustainable development and cultural preservation while also improved their storytelling skills and raising awareness about the SDG,” he said.

Kendra Moss said, “The competition was not just about entertainment; it was about using Wayang Kulit as a powerful tool to spark conversations about global sustainability challenges.”

Potrii Tirumahal Devi saw the initiative as a wonderful demonstration of the possibilities of combining ancient art forms with modern technology, as well as an illustration of how education can empower young minds to brighten a better future.

“We skilfully modified Wayang Kulit narratives for the digital age while maintaining cultural authenticity.

“We obtained significant insights into the impact of the significance of culture in sustainability, and how technology changes and how audiences perceive messages by digital tools,” she said.

The project’s success drew participation from across APU, with students from business, technology, and computing disciplines working together, led by a group of enthusiastic lecturers, including Ms. Tham Hoong Ching and Ms. Nur Amira Abdul Majid.