GEORGE TOWN, March 20 (Bernama) -- A deep passion for craftsmanship has driven Wan Shaiful Rizal Wan Sulong, 43, to continue the tradition of creating giant star decorations, a staple during Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
The private sector worker said that he chose to make giant stars as they received a positive response and were easier to produce compared to the smaller, more intricate ones.
So far, he has received seven orders for giant stars in various sizes, including one from Bukit Gelugor member of parliament Ramkarpal Singh, who is a regular customer every year.
“I started making large-sized stars about eight years ago. Before that, I used to help a friend, but then he stopped doing it. I decided to try it myself and noticed the demand, so I continued it as a side job,” he told Bernama.
“I also used to make smaller stars, but the demand was lower, and the production was more tedious. People preferred to order the larger ones, so I focused on making those instead,” he said.
Wan Shaiful Rizal said that he has been passionate about this craft since he was a child, and it took him about two years to become truly skilled at it.
The native of Kampung Melayu said that the process of making the Aidilfitri star is not actually that difficult, but it requires a high level of focus, patience and creativity from the maker.
He said that there are three sizes of stars produced namely 2.4 metres (m), 3 m, and 3.6 m, with either seven or ten points, depending on the customer's request. The price ranges from RM700 to RM1,200, depending on the size.
Each star takes around three to four days to complete, and the materials used include plywood, screws, plastic and LED tube lights.
“The initial process is to complete the frame, and the colour of the plastic for the star is according to the customer's preference. Finally, we add the twinkling lights around the star's points, using LED tube lights,” he also said.
He added that it has been a long-standing tradition in his village to display these stars as decorations to further enliven the festive celebrations.
“Usually, I make them for the decorations in my village as well as for external orders. I generally do it alone, but sometimes friends come to help.”
-- BERNAMA
