Indonesian Batik

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all finding my blog informative. Today I am going to discuss about Indonesian Batik.

In October 2' 2009, Indonesian batik was designated by UNESCO,  as the Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Since then, on every Friday citizens of Indonesia wear Batik and even they celebrate October 2 as a National Batik Day.

Batik Child Sling

The culture of Indonesia is very well related to batik. Infants are carried in batik slings which are designed with the symbols that are believed to bring child luck.
A person's rank can be determined by the pattern of batik he wears. Some deigns there are even reserved there for brides, bridegroom and even for there relatives. There they even celebrate a ceremony called Naloni Mitoni in which women wear seven layers of cloth when there child touches the Earth for the first time.

References:

Batik, the traditional fabric of Indonesia. Available at: http://www.expat.or.id/info/batik.html (Accessed: 15 January 2017).

THE HISTORY AND TECHNIQUE OF BATIK. Available at: http://www.asia-art.net/indonesian_batik.html (Accessed: 15 January 2017).

Indonesian Batiks (no date) Available at: http://www.indobatiks.com/ (Accessed: 16 January 2017).

Indian Batik Motifs-3

Priggondani Motif

Priggondani Motif

According to the local community of 'priggondani' is a combination of words: Pring, Nggan, and Ndani. 'Pring' meaning bamboo. 'Nggan' stands for place and 'Ndani' meaning improvement. Priggondani means a place where people can improve themselves.

Peacock Motif

Peacock Motif

The peacock is the sign of wealth, beauty, pride and even royalty. In India, the peacock's image is associated with rain and Lord Indra or the vehicle for Lord Maruga. It is the national bird of India. Even the peacock's of feather was worn by Lord Krishna.

Jlamprang Motif

Jlamprang Motif

This pattern is taken from Indian Patola work. It consists of geometrical shapes and star shapes are used as twig ends rectangular. The motif was influenced by the Islam community which avoids showing animals and human beings in the real form. But then it was also said that this motif was inspired by Lord Shiva.

In the Hindu'sit is beleived that there is a Syaiwapakhra (arrow a weapong Lord Shiva used) which uses a chakra symbol as arrows. It is also a meditating icone of Lord Shiva.

References:

mechtadeera (2015) Jlamprang , motif batik khas Pekalongan. Available at: https://mechtadeera.wordpress.com/2015/08/25/jlamprang-motif-batik-khas-pekalongan/ (Accessed: 20 January 2017).

Makna dan Filosofi motif Batik Meru. Available at: http://senirupaterapanbatikindonesia.blogspot.in/2013/12/makna-dan-filosofi-motif-batik-meru.html (Accessed: 21 January 2017).

Indian Batik Motifs -2

Hello guys, in this post as i said, I will be discussing about the other Indian motifs.

Sawat Motif

Sawat motif

According to India the motif Sawat is taken from the Vishnu's bird. Whereas, accordint to Javanese, sawat means throw. In ancient times, the Javanese believed in Gods as a force that controls the universe. One of these Gods were Batara Indra who had a weapon which resembles a snake.

Elephant Motif

Elephant Motif

In Indian culture, Elephant is a sign of strenght, Earthiness and responsibility. Elephants are always respected. Elephant is also symbolic to Lord Ganesha. He is the destroyer of evil.

Sida Mukti Motif

Sida Mukti Motif

This motif is mainly made from natural dyes. This motif is used in marriage ceremony. Motif beginning with Sida contains the hope that whatever you want will be received. Sida Mukti means the hope of receiving the happiness and the unseen.

References:

Makna dan Filosofi motif Batik Meru. Available at: http://senirupaterapanbatikindonesia.blogspot.in/2013/12/makna-dan-filosofi-motif-batik-meru.html (Accessed: 21 January 2017).

Indian Batik Motifs-1

Hello everyone, I am hoping that you guys are finding my blog informative and interesting. Today I am going to write about the popular Indian motifs that influenced the world. India has 3 types of motifs namely natural motifs, stylised motifs and geometrical motifs.

Banji Motif

Banji Motif

Banji is created based on the location of swastika. Every end of swastika is connected to other end of swastika and therefore resulting in a pattern. It comes in geometrical motifs. 

Now, the use of this motif is declined but it is nw done only in Banuyas, Indonesia. It can also be used to create tesselations.

Cuwiri motif

Cuwiri Motif

Cuwiri motif was influenced by India to Indonesia when the motif was used in the Mitoni ceremony. Cuwiri means small. The person who wears it is supposed to be respected by all. Cuwiri motif works with Meru and Sawat motif.

Meru Motif

Meru Motif

The word 'Meru' comes from Mahameru mountain. The mountain is considered as a residence of Tri Murti, namely Sang Hyank Brahma, Sang Hyank Vishnu and Sang Hyank Shiva. Tri Murti is said to be a source of prosperity, happiness and life. Therefore, Meru is used as a motif so that whosoevr wears it, gets happiness and prosperity in life.

I will continue with other motifs in my next blog. Please comment if you have any queries or suggestions.

Indian Batik Process

Indian Batik mainly has 2 techniques for batik.

• Application of wax via brush
• Application of wax via Tjanting tool.

Application of wax via brush

• First, the fabric is washed so that the extra starch is removed.
• The design in made on the fabric by a pencil, chalk or charcoal.
  
• Wax is heated.
  
• Wax is applied on the place through a brush where you want the background colour to stay.
  
• Fabric is left to be dry.
• Then the fabric is dyed.
  
• The process is repeated if multiple colours are needed.
• The wax is removed by putting the fabric in boiling water.
  
• The fabric is left to dry.

NOTE: Batik colour fades if it is left in sunlight to dye.

Application of Wax By Tjanting Tool

• The cloth is washed in water for the removal of extra starch.
• The design in made on the fabric by a pencil, chalk or charcoal.
• Wax is heated.
• Wax is applied on fabric with the help of tjanting tool or Kalamkari pen.
  
• Fabric is left to be dry.
• Then the fabric is dyed.
• The process is repeated if multiple colours are needed.
• The wax is removed by putting the fabric in boiling water.
• The fabric is left to dry.

References:

Available at: http://www.craftmark.org/sites/default/files/P033%20Batik.pdf (Accessed: 18 January 2017).

strandofsilk, 2017 (2011) West Bengal - Batik - motifs and Colours. Available at: https://strandofsilk.com/journey-map/west-bengal/batik/motifs-and-colours (Accessed: 18 January 2017)

Virmani, T. (2012) How to get a Batik print ? Easy step by step DIY procedure. Available at: http://www.letsexpresso.com/fashion/how-to-get-a-batik-print-easy-step-by-step-diy-procedure/ (Accessed: 19 January 2017).

Indian Batik

As i said before, there are some traces that India has historical traces of batik. Though with time the practice of Batik was reduced because of the entrance of Egyptian machines. The practice of Batik revived in India in the 19th century when it was introduced as a 2 year course in Shanti Niketan (Kolkata and Thereon).

Well the finest Batik paintings made in India are from Chola Mandal which is located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Batik is mainly done in Gujrat, Rajasthan, Andra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.Batik done in cotton is normally washed with detergent whereas, silk batik is normally dry washed. Batik is same on both sides and in India it is mostly done on cotton and silk and normally synthetic clothes are avoided.

Evolution

In the starting natural dyes (turmeric was used for yellow,berries was used for red colour,etc.) were used  with cotton and silk cloth. Now, batik id done on cotton, silk, Georgette, crepe, voiles, poplin,cambric, etc; and chemical has taken the place of natural dyes.Before the colours mostly used were Indigo (symbolising God Brahma), Dark Brown (symbolising God Vishnu) and White ( symbolising God Shiva). Now, brighter colours are used.

Batik was used precisely for tailored clothes and dresses. Now it is used as wallhangings, dupatta's, paintings, scarves, bedsheet, handbags, shawls, Kurti's, etc.

Indian Batik Tools

Kalamkari pen

Tjanting tool 1

Tjanting tool 2

Praffin Wax

Boiling water

Beeswax

Batik has several kind of material and tools, starting from fabric to water. Fabric used can be cotton or silk or any woven cloth but mainly cotton is used in India. Wax is used containing 70% Praffin Wax and 30% beeswax. More paraffin wax will result in more cracks.

Dyes are used as colours. Brushes , Kalamkari pens.Tjanting tools can be used to apply wax. Boiling water is used to remove the wax.

Dyes

References:

2011 (2010) Batik, Batik fabric, Batik in Indian textiles, printing tradition. Available at: http://www.india-crafts.com/textile/printing_tradition/batik/ (Accessed: 22 January 2017).

2011 (2010) Batik printing. Available at: http://www.india-crafts.com/textile_products/batikprinting.html (Accessed: 23 January 2017).

strandofsilk, 2017 (2011) Gujarat - Batik - A prelude to Indian Batik. Available at: https://strandofsilk.com/journey-map/gujarat/batik/introduction (Accessed: 24 January 2017).

HISTORY OF BATIK FABRIC-INDIANMIRROR (no date) Available at: http://www.indianmirror.com/culture/indian-specialties/Batikfabric.html (Accessed: 25 January 2017).

 Pedia, T.U. (2013) Batik: All about Batik fabric, Batik art and Batik Saree. Available at: http://www.utsavpedia.com/motifs-embroideries/batik-a-worldwide-art/ (Accessed: 25 January 2017).

Batik's Origin

I hope you all are finding my blog intresting and informative. Well today I am going to talk about Batik's origin.

There are a lot of rumours that from where the batik started.

Well, various traces of batik have been found from about 100’s of years ago. Its traces can also be seen in Egypt, where the linen was dipped in wax and was wrapped around the mummies and then the wax was scratched by a stylus. But then the use of batik changed it is used as clothing now.

Whereas, it is also argued that India or Sri Lanka originated batik in 6^th or 7^th century. Moreover, it is also said that batik was originated in 13^th century by Indonesia as its traces can be seen in the statues of Prabhanan, but that statue just had the design of flower in it which could also be caused because of Ikat rather than batik.

Well as I was going through my research I also found that India started with its batik work from about 1^st century and it’s traces can also be seen in Ajanta caves, where it is said that Khatri community was the first one to practice it. Due to European machine entry, the practice of batik declined slowly and therefore was rarely practiced because it is labour extensive.

 India also started trading from about 12th century and via trading India traded it’s different crafts including batik. So in some theories it is also said that India traded Indonesia. Indonesia got influenced from the art and therefore started practicing it by replacing and recreating motifs.

Well, still the origin of batik is unknown.

References:

HISTORY OF BATIK FABRIC-INDIANMIRROR  Available at: http://www.indianmirror.com/culture/indian-specialties/Batikfabric.html (Accessed: 17 January 2017).

 2017 (1997) Batik, the traditional fabric of Indonesia. Available at: http://www.expat.or.id/info/batik.html (Accessed: 18 January 2017).

Influences, B. (2000) Short history of Batik. Available at: http://www.1worldsarongs.com/shorhisofbat.html (Accessed: 18 January 2017).

Co, D.T. (2016) Batik. Available at: http://www.dharmatrading.com/techniques/batik/batik-history.html (Accessed: 18 January 2017).