Denpasar (Antaranews Bali) - A craftsman of Ogoh-ogoh in Sesetan, Denpasar, admitted to have received extensive orders for making the effigies, including from Australia, before Seclusion Day, or Day of Silence, New Year Saka 1940.
"The Hindu community in Australia has ordered Ogoh-ogoh for celebrating Seclusion Day. We designed the Ogoh-ogoh that can be disassembled, so it can be easily sent to Australia," Ogoh-ogoh handicraft entrepreneur of the "Gases Bali" studio Indra Wirawan stated here on Monday.
Wirawan noted that Indonesians from various regions, such as Jakarta, Surabaya, and Kalimantan, usually ordered Ogoh-ogoh via online shopping.
"Some 20 workers have been tasked with creating 175 Ogoh-ogoh in various shapes and sizes since the end of the previous year," he noted.
Due to the limited time and workforce, Wirawan declined to take some orders of Ogoh-ogoh.
"In the past, we always accepted orders without limit. However, now, we try to adjust the number of incoming orders with the ability of our workforce to maintain the quality of Ogoh-ogoh," he remarked.
Ogoh-ogoh in the Gases studio is usually sold for some Rp500 thousand to Rp75 million per unit.
"The price depends on the material quality, size, and difficulty level of making Ogoh-ogoh. We sell at a price of Rp75 million, not including postage, for Australia," he added.
Meanwhile, Kadek Alit, an Ogoh-ogoh buyer, bought from Gases studio due to the limited time for making Ogoh-ogoh.
"I just buy small Ogoh-ogoh for the children while the bigger one is still being created by the local people in Banjar," he stated.
However, the sales of Ogoh-ogoh in Badung, Bali, have decreased 10 days before Seclusion Day Catur Barata New Year Saka 1940.
"The sales of Ogoh-ogoh have declined a bit as compared to the previous year. I believe God gives sustenance to everyone evenly," Siluh Ayati, the shop owner of Ogoh-ogoh in Sempidi, added.(WDY)