This book was made in Bali, but its construction, story, and Sanskrit script originated in India. The word lontar comes from two Old Javanese words: ron (leaf) and tal (rontal tree). The rontal tree is in the palm tree family. Following a lengthy process of repeated drying, soaking in water, cleaning, steaming, flattening, outting, binding, and resting for six months, the palm leaves are inscribed and illustrated with a special sharp, iron tipped tool. Lontar books cover all facets of life--refligion and government, science and medicine, history and performing arts, epics and illustrated stories. This book belongs to the last category, prasi lontar, which have illustrations based on shadow puppet plays.