Bangsawan as a Career

Having evolved from ritualistic village performance for propitiation to gods, bangsawan became purely commercial as it shifted to the urban stage. Hence, the bangsawan performers also took on the careers of being professional entertainers. They were promoted as bangsawan stars who had to carry themselves with dignified bearing both on and off the stage to preserve their status as public figures. Furthermore, they were subjected to harsh and strict training routines to stay ahead of the changing nature of bangsawan so that they would be able to sustain the interest of the consumers. The close observance of the rules and customs of bangsawan helped the performers captivate the imagination of the public and ensured the continuing fascination of bangsawan as commercial theatre.[1]

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[1] Tan, Bangsawan, p. 60-73.