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Batik - An Ancient Art
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photo by Me & I
WHAT IS BATIK
Batik is an ancient art form with origins that trace back to Asia and it is believed that it is a Malay word meaning, “to write” or “to dot”. In Indonesia, in olden times only members of the royal family practiced Batik art because they believed the designs had special significance for their wearers. Other people believe that Batik originated in India but over the years, its use spread to Africa and other parts of the world with every new culture and religion lending it its own unique designs. Nowadays people not only wear Batik clothing like skirts, shirts and sarongs but also use it for home furnishings, paintings and wall hangings.

Batik is a very labour intensive procedure that produces beautiful and distinctive designs on porous fabrics like cotton and silk. Initially, fabric, normally white or cream in colour is washed in boiling water to remove all traces of other materials like starch before the process begins. The desired design is pencilled or traced on the material and areas of the fabric that are to be left free of any dye are brushed with melted paraffin and beeswax to prevent them being stained. This is done using an ordinary brush or a traditional wax pen called the canting with the spout of the pen varying in size depending on the intricacy of the design. The temperature of the wax is maintained at the correct temperature throughout and after the design is complete, the wax is allowed to penetrate the fabric and dry.

When the wax cools and hardens, the dying process can then begin. This is done by immersing the fabric in the dye, usually starting with the lightest shades of colour first. Keeping the fabric immersed for longer periods will intensify the resulting colour and accordingly it is varied by immersed in cold water accordingly to harden the wax. The process continues until the desired effect or colour is reached. Once the process is complete, the wax can be scraped off or a hot iron is used to melt the wax.

Batik designs have a characteristic effect that result when the cooled wax is cracked to allow the darkest dye to penetrate the fabric. Because the Batik designs are hand made no two final creations will look the same and this makes the art of Batik unique. In addition, the wax is brushed on from both sides of the fabric making the designs reversible. Over the years, new methods of making batiks have been introduced which involve using block printing and these are varied depending on different designs required. Nowadays, chemical dyes have replaced many traditional plant dyes for more variety, and lasting colour. Special detergents are used to wash batiks and drying them in direct sunlight should be avoided.

Indonesia is considered the home of Batik in the modern world with designs that have significant and mystical meanings. The Batiks are influenced by traditional patterns and colours with examples of geometric styles like the Kawung that consist of intersecting circles and the Ceplok style which is more influenced by the Islamic influence and uses both geometric forms and nature themes. Another style is the Parang that comprises diagonal parallel bands. In India Batik, designs carry on an ancient art form that is used in clothing, bedspreads and other furnishing fabrics.

West Africans use cassava or rice paste instead of beeswax for their Batiks and this is applied using feathers or fine tools made of wood or bone. The African culture is reflected in Batik designs and you will find beautiful Batiks which have scenes of animals, nature and village life depicted