Tabanan, Rainbow over Ricefields

Gede Tomy Maryanto
Only Serving the Balinese Community

Drastic decreases of tourist visits to Bali due to the bomb blast in October 2002 and October 2005 results directly in the economy of Bali. Many businessmen are, either of large or small scale, now finding it hard to get orders. Some of them have fallen into bankruptcy.

However, it's different from the 'Bisma' handicraft belongs to I Gede Tomy Maryanto, S.E. Entrepreneur who domiciles at Jalan KS Tubun, Gang 12 No. 6 Tabanan, some 20 km west of Denpasar, remains to produce several kinds of gold and silver accessories. "Lately, my customers are mostly the locals. From time immemorial, I have never relied on tourism sector," he says to Bali Travel News.
As a consequence, he is frequently unable to handle the order. Moreover, on the auspicious daysto hold (Hindu) rituals like mendem pedagingan (deva yajna), ngaben cremation (pitri yajna) or three-month ritual and wedding (manushya yajna), abundant order will overwhelm him. Various ritual paraphernalia ordered by customers such as kitir for ngaben ceremony, bracelet, anklet, badong (neck ornament) for baby's three-month ritual and silverwork in the form of fish, crab for otonan rite (six monthly).
To meet the new demand or old customers, this father of one son operates the Bisma Shop at (transit) terminal of Tabanan City. "For those who cannot purchase gold jewellery, I have provide silver ones at affordable price," says the man who has ever taken part in exhibition at hotels in Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur and Tanah Lot.
The man of Tabanan born (1977) adds that he regularly makes gold jewellery in the form of necklace, bracelet, ring and earrings. "In fact, the order of gold jewellery is more than that of silver," he observes.
Perhaps, design and motif of accessories he makes are the same as that of other craftsmen. However, one thing that distinguishes his works is ornaments he makes inspired by (Balinese) traditionalstyle. It's discernible from its distinctive and unique ornaments, like karang manuk, a motif with high complexity grade in designing and carving it. "Due to its complexity, craftsmen are rarely willing to make this karang manuk carving," affirms the third winner of Tabanan wide silver design. Pertaining to raw materials he says that he purchases them in Denpasar. Meanwhile, his products are displayed at Bisma Shop. If there is special order, he obliges the customer to pay advance payment amounting to 2/3 of the total price of the goods. "I dare not leave this profession as it's heritage of my ancestor," he explains while adding that his products are ever bought by American, Australian and Singporean tourists. (BTN/015)