6 Facts about the Iconic Bali Barong Shirt, Its Creator Just Passed Away

6 Fakta Baju Barong Bali yang Ikonik, Baru Saja Meninggal Dunia

6 Facts about the Iconic Balinese Barong Costume, Just Passed Away

6 Facts about the Iconic Bali Barong Shirt, Its Creator Just Passed Away

"Dream - When you go to Bali, there is one iconic souvenir, which is the barong shirt. Usually sold in many tourist spots with various colors and sizes."

In the middle, there is a very distinctive image of a Barong. Inspired by Barong, a mythological figure in Balinese Hindu beliefs that symbolizes goodness and protection.

This shirt not only represents a strong cultural symbol but also becomes a popular fashion item. It doesn't feel complete to visit Bali without buying this traditional clothing.

Many people know that the shirt was made by a fairly famous artist. He made it accidentally and did not copyright it. This then allows anyone to freely make the shirt. This shirt eventually became a mandatory souvenir and an iconic item from the Island of the Gods. Here are some facts about the Barong Bali shirt that you may not know.

1. Meaning of Barong

Barong is considered a protector and a repellent of evil in Balinese Hindu tradition. The making of this shirt also involves a complex and detailed process. Starting from selecting the fabric to creating the intricate Barong motif.

2. Created in 1946 by Pande Ketut Krisna

The first Barong shirt was created by Pande Ketut Krisna. This man, born on June 21, 1946, made the Barong shirt around 1969 in Gianyar. At that time, he and his family were developing Bali's endek fabric with different color experiments.

3. Initially Only 2 Colors

Awalnya, this Bali fabric only consisted of two colors, such as black and blue, black and green, or brown. Through his experiments, Pande Ketut Krisna successfully created fabric with more diverse colors. This innovation resulted in many colors, known as catrian. From the original two colors, endek fabric now has five colors. Then, through development, the barong shirt was created in 1969.

4. Made from Unintentional

Krisna admits that the making of the barong shirt was not intentional. The motif or design of the barong shirt image was made simple for easy production. Sold at a price of around Rp1,500 per piece, this barong shirt or t-shirt was highly sought after and sold well that year.

5. No Patent Rights

Although he has created the barong costume, Krisna acknowledges that he does not have a patent right for his work. At that time, his thoughts were not focused on the patent aspect. However, he hopes that the government can help to patent the barong costume so that its copyright is still owned by the Balinese community.

6. The New Artist Passed Away

Bali artist, Pande Ketut Krisna, has just passed away on March 6, 2024 at Sanglah Central General Hospital, Denpasar, Bali. The creator of the Bali barong shirt and the initiator of a modern souvenir shop from the Island of the Gods has died at the age of 77. Source: Liputan6.com

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