At just 17, Gabriel Sanata Putra is emerging as one of Central Java’s most promising young puppeteers, balancing his deep commitment to Javanese cultural arts with an active Catholic faith life.
A student of Traditional Javanese Puppetry at SMK Negeri 8 Surakarta, Gabriel also serves as president of the student council.
Outside school, he is an altar server and a core member of the Catholic Youth Group (OMK) at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, Mojosongo Parish, under the Archdiocese of Semarang.
From a young age, Gabriel has been immersed in Indonesia’s traditional shadow puppet theatre.
He began puppetry in second grade at Pangudi Luhur St. Valentinus 3 Elementary School, training under puppet master Muji at Sanggar Sarotama in Karanganyar.
He later continued under Wiji Santosa in Sukoharjo and then at Sanggar Lemah Ireng Hangudi Irama in Klaten Regency, where he learned from a Muslim scholar-puppeteer.
Now formally enrolled in puppetry studies, Gabriel performed most recently in August 2024 during Indonesia’s Independence Day celebration in Sekip, Kadipiro, Surakarta.
He staged an all-night performance of Sumantri Ngenger, accompanied by Sanggar Marto Rubi’s gamelan orchestra, with drummer Cipto from the Purboasmara puppetry school.
Gabriel draws inspiration from the character Ontoseno, whom he admires for being both honest and courageous.
He said the character’s lack of refined language is offset by his loyalty and bravery—citing a story where Ontoseno defended Semar from the Kurawa without hesitation or elaborate words.
At home in Balong Lama, Wonorejo Village in Karanganyar, Gabriel helps his father collect recyclable materials during holidays.
He also leads the OMK’s Social Service Team, coordinating fundraising by collecting and selling used items. “We collect cardboard, paper, and recyclable materials, then sell them to raise money for youth activities and community service,” he said.
Despite his family’s modest means, Gabriel credits his parents, Joko Sudarwanto and Suryani, for supporting his artistic and spiritual pursuits.
He observes a personal discipline of fasting every Monday and Thursday as a form of dedication to both his craft and his Catholic faith.
Gabriel has already earned several awards, including first place in the 2018 Solo Raya Regional Puppetry Movement Competition and second overall in the Solo Raya Little Puppeteer Festival the same year.
Looking ahead, he hopes to become a lecturer in puppetry at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Surakarta. He says that being a Catholic puppeteer is not just a career path, but a calling.
“I want to continue loving Javanese culture, especially puppet show, while remaining faithful to my Catholic identity. For me, being a Catholic puppeteer is a meaningful calling,” he said.
