Petruk

Petruk is a character in traditional Javanese puppetry, or wayang. He is one of the Punokawan, four comedic figures common in the medium.

Etymology

The name Petruk may derive from the Arabic Fat-ruk, the first word in the Sufi creed fat-ruk kulla maa siwallahi ("leave all but Allah"). The character is known by a variety of alternative names, including Kanthong Bolong (holed pocket), Dawala,Dublajaya, and Pentung Pinanggul.

Depiction

Petruk is one of the four Punokawan, together with Semar (the leader/father figure), Bagong, and Gareng; Petruk acts as the middle child. They are portrayed living together as a harmonious family. The Punokawan, often referred to as clowns in English, provide comic relief in the stories they are in, but also serve to speak to the audience and convey ideas of the dhalang (puppeteer), including social criticism.

Petruk is depicted as having lengthy limbs and a long nose; his nose is generally considered his most distinctive feature. In wayang performances the dhalang generally provides a "warrior's voice" for Petruk, as opposed to the nasal voice used for his brothers. He is married to Dewi Ambarawati, whom he won the right to marry after defeating four other suitors in a vicious battle. Together they have a son, Lengkungkusuma.