Denpasar, In the City
Sukanta’s Fan Shop

“Srikandi” traditional handicraft workshop, established by I Nyoman Sukanta in November 1978 in Banjar Sesetan Kaja, Kelurahan Sesetan, South Denpasar, has succeeded in staying in business despite the economic crisis suffered by tourism businesses in Bali following October 2002
bomb tragedy.

The shop’s product of traditional Balinese fans made from sandalwood are a popular souvenir especially due to the natural fragrant aroma. In developing his business, Sukanta (52) also established a showroom on Jalan Raya Sesetan in September 2002.
“In the 1980’s almost every household in Sesetan took on piece work in making sandalwood fans, but the post-bomb blast crisis has caused a severe drop in the demand for handicraft products.
Sukanta is a son of a farmer and married to Ni Wayan Sulastri. After graduating from Senior High School he became a trainee in a fan business in Sesetan. In the middle of 1971, he established ‘Dewi Amba Sandalwood Handicraft’ (‘Kerajinan Kipas Cendana Dewi Amba’), on Jalan Tukad Banyusari no. 99, Denpasar, and a showroom known as “Showroom Kipas Srikandi” or “Srikandi Fan Showroom” by the end of September 2002 on Jalan Raya Sesetan no. 53 B.The chairman of Denpasar’s “Dekranas” or “National Assembly of Handicrafts”, Bintang Puspayoga, officiated the opening of the showroom.
There are some basic materials needed to produce fans. Sandalwood, imported from Timor Island, is one of the materials as well as ebony from Sulawesi (Celebes). Nyoman Sukanta has 25 assistant workers producing two kinds of fans, firstly that of the main product and secondly, a combined fan. The main product is a special white fan 21 cm x 17 cm, and a 13-cm round fan.
The second kind of product comprises the following items:
(1) Combined fan made of sandalwood, complete with painting of traditional Barong of a length of 24 cm, fan painted with “legong” dancer of 24 cm length.
(2) Sandalwood fan with painting of flora and fauna of one centimeter and 24 cm lengths.
(3) Wayang-painted sandalwood fan of white color 40 cm.
The most expensive of the fans is that of sandalwood, reaching up to Rp 200,000 per piece, while the average price of an ebony fan is Rp 25,000, and fans made from the native wood of “bengkel” Rp 5,000 per piece.
Orders come from hotels, and government and private institutions for ceremonial occasions and from other cities in Indonesia. He has not yet received orders from abroad. (Budarsana)