History of Batik

Batik is an artistic technique of dyeing a cloth by using a wax-resist method. Wax-resist method is the most traditional way to dye or color a cloth. This method prevents the dye from spreading on the entire cloth and so as to give a beautiful pattern or design on the cloth. Batik is regarded as the cultural and traditional art in Indonesia. The traditional colors used for Batik are deep shades of indigo, dark brown and white which symbolize the three main Hindu Gods. Javanese Batik, from Jog Jakarta with some particular meaning is found in countries of West Africa like Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda and Mali with the true Javanese idea, and in Asia like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma.

Long ago, in the ancient period around 1500 years ago, the dye resist designs on the cloth were found in Egypt and the Middle East along with the two major countries, samples are also found in Turkey, India, China, Japan and West Africa around hundreds of years ago. In the present date, Batik is highly developed form of art found on the island of Java, Indonesia. In the 17th century, the fabrics were highly decorated with Dutch transcripts, by it is often believed that complicated designs in Java were possible when the finely woven imported cloth that was from India to Indonesia in 1800s and then from Europe in 1815. The similar Batik designs that were done on textiles earlier are noticed on stone statues that are beautifully sculptured on the walls of Javanese temples like Prambanan AD 800, but then it is not yet confirmed that the cloth was Batik. These designs could be produced by weaving techniques too. However, by the 19th century became greatly developed form of art in the cultural life of the Javanese.

There were some specific Batik designs worn by the Javanese royalty and thus it was felt that Batik was originally meant to be worn by the monarchs of the royal Sultan's palace. The Princesses and royal women might have encouraged the finest designs of Batik that reflect the traditional patters. Well, the untidy dyeing work with consequent waxing was done by the court artisans who worked under their direction.

Known as the great fans of art, Javanese royalty supported the development of traditional art form like silver embellishment, leather puppets known as wayang kulit in java and gamelan orchestra. The Javanese dalang (puppeteer) was a major source for the Batik patterns too. Wayang puppets are made from goat skin which was treated and colored to build false impression on the puppet, were usually sold to women who could get the necessary idea of batik designs from these puppets. The used charcoal and blew it through the holes that describe the design of puppet clothing, so that they could copy complicated patterns onto the cloth.

However, some scholars deny the fact that Batik was originally meant for royalty as they feel that it is meant for the rakyat, the people too. It was considered as a significant job for young women of the Central Java, revealing the fact that they are capable enough to handle a canting (an instrument shaped like pen to apply wax to the cloth) with enough tact and skill just like skills used in cookery or other household arts.

Batik From Indonesian

Over a thousand years ago the people of Java, an island in the East Indies, wanted to put pictures of the fruits, flowers, and birds which they saw around them on their clothes. They knew that wax would resist water, so they covered the designs they had made on the cloth with melted wax. When the wax was stiffened the cloth was dipped into a cool dye made from vegetables and fruits. After the wax was removed by melting it again with hot water, the light pictures showed clearly against the dyed, colored background.
Today this process, as well as the cloth itself, is called batik. You can make a batik yourself with wax crayons and a package of dye. Suppose you want to make a batik scarf. First draw your design, perhaps some fruit, or flowers, or a bird, just as the Javanese did, on a piece of cotton material. Cover the design solidly with the wax crayon. Dip the cloth into the dye, following the directions on the box.
After the dyed cloth has been thoroughly dyed, wash it with soap and hot water. You will find the crayon washes and you have a real batik. This same method can be used to make a crayon batik on paper. Instead of dye you can use black water-color paint. Draw your picture on the paper and this time use all the bright colors you can. Press hard on the crayons and cover the design solidly. Then brush the black paint over the whole paper. When the paper is dry you will find that the beautifully colored picture shines out of the dark background

Batik Painting Indian Art Form Since 2000 Years Ago

Do you know the art of Batik Paintings in India? It is a unique magic of wax and dye when they are combined on the cloth and this magic is well known as Batik Paintings.
The definition of Batik means writing with wax in Javanese and its main origin is in the island of Java that is situated in Indonesia.
However, India takes a lot of pride to have this unique art form but one need not forget that this art form got its fame after it arrived in the art schools of Shantiniketan which is situated in Calcutta.
It is really unique when one artist comes to know that wax resist technique is used in this creative art form.
Batik Paintings literally provide us with a lot of artistic freedom, and therefore, it makes it a choice of most of the artists.
There is a unique technique used in Batik Paintings, which is known as elementary technique which has been derived before thousands of years and can be easily traced to India, some sorts of Africa, middle eastern countries and various regions of Asia.
History of Batik Paintings exists since last 2000 years and is considered to be one of the oldest art forms that exists in India.
There are 3 simple steps involved in using Batik Painting as follows...
1. Waxing.
2. Dyeing.
3. De-waxing, that is removing the wax.
There are also many other processes that are involved in the above 3 major steps as follows...
1. You need to first prepare the cloth.
2. Then trace the designs out there.
3. Then stretch the cloth over the frame.
4. Then wax the particular portion of the cloth where dyeing is not necessary.
5. Then get started with preparation of the dye.
6. Insert the cloth in the dye.
7. Then boil the cloth so that the wax is removed.

8. Then finally wash the cloth completely with soap.

Batik Making Process

Batik is a traditional process that uses wax-resist technique in its making. Wax resist methods prevents the dye from spreading to the entire cloth, ultimately creating beautiful batik designs and patterns. The cloth used for Batik can either be cotton or silk as it can quickly absorb the wax used in dye resisting procedure. The fabric must be densely woven and should be of high quality so that the intricate patterns are reflected in the Batik quality designs.
The cloth used for Batik is initially washed and boiled in plain water for a number of times before the wax is applied. It is done so to remove all the traces of starch, lime, chalk or other chemicals are completed washed away from the cloth. The traditional method of creating Batik was that the cloth was crushed with wooden mallet or ironed so that it becomes smooth and flexible and this helped to make best designs and Batik patterns. But now, the machine made cloth is smooth and supple enough to omit the pounding or the ironing process. Generally this system was adopted in the Batik making process.
The best quality of cloth used to make Batik designs include Primissima and Prima, and the quality of the cloth is also mentioned on the edge of the pattern. Blaco is often used for Batik which is a lesser quality cloth.
Design equipments
Though Batik designs and patterns may be intricate, but the Batik design tools are quite simple. Canting, the wax pen is a pure Javanese invention, is a thin walled small copper container with a spout having a short handle made of bamboo. Its length is about 11 cm and is filled with melted wax and with the help of canting artisans creates beautiful designs on the cloth. The spouts are of various sizes which help to create different design effects. For a fine and detailed art, a spout with diameter 1mm is used and to fill in the larger designs wider spouts are used. A canting with 9 spouts is used to draw dots or parallel lines. A clump of cotton is tied over the mouth of the canting or may attach it to a stick and this acts as a brush to fill up very large sections.
Once a pattern or a design is drawn on the cloth, it is ready to be waxed. To maintain the original color (white or cream) of the cloth, the artisans apply wax with the help of the canting. The fabric is wrapped over bamboo frames for the wax to cool which later on becomes hard. The wax is melted to attain the desired consistency in the wajan in which the artisan dip the chanting and fill it with melted wax. For a well defined batik, wax is applied on both sides of the fabric.
After the application of the wax, the fabric needs to be dyed for the first time. Initially, earthenware tubs were used for dying but now large concrete vats are used. The fabric is draped on the ropes with pulleys and immersed in a dye tub. For a darker color the cloth must remain in the dye for a longer period after which it is put in cold water to make the wax harder. After the cloth is dyed properly for the first time, the artisans apply wax to the areas where the first dye color is to be maintained. Now the area that was waxed initially needs to be cleaned by removing the wax with a small knife, dabbed with hot water and then resized, so that it can be dyed in similar manner with a subsequent dye tub. You can even give a marble effect by cracking the wax so that the dye enters into the cracks before it is put for dye bath.

Lastly, you need to wash the traditionally dyed Batiks with soap and water or lerak fruit which is available in traditional markets. Always dry the Batiks in shade and not under direct sunlight.

Tips For Working With Batik Fabrics

Batik is an Indonesian-Malay word that refers to traditional wax-resist dye method used on cloth. Batik is a traditional fashionable apparel worn across the world. With a huge variety of Batik designs and patterns, it is often loved and worn by people all over the globe especially in Malaysia. Batik depicts the ancient Javanese art and tradition and has become the most desirable pattern in the urban market too. You will find a great range in the men and the women clothing. Batik apparels are evergreen and suit all the genres at any occasion.
The quality of Batik differs in the quality of cloth used. Batik silk are the highly used in parties or formal functions that can be accessorized with Batik sandals, Batik silk handbags or purses, Batik silk scarves etc. Batik designs on cotton have set a new drive among the general public. There is a huge range of designs and colors available in cotton fabric have become highly popular. Cotton Batik is generally used for casual or daily wear in almost all the parts of the world. You are not only amazed to see a huge collection of Batik prints and designs in variable colors but you can also see a number of accessories that complement the apparel. Cotton or silk scarves, sarongs, kurtis, ladies tops, Batik handbags, Batik Kebaya, Batik pants, sleep dresses etc. are widely used by a lot of customers.
The modern and the fashionable industry has readily accepted the traditional designs and patterns of Batik and has manufactured a variety of sarongs, scarves, jackets, dresses and accessories to satisfy the new generation. Batik dresses are worn for many occasions like:
1. Informal dresses are worn as daily wear casual dresses and are available in a wide variety.
2. Formal Occasions like parties, banquets, receptions, formal gatherings etc. where the guests are requested to wear Batik. Full sleeves Batik shirt for men and 'kain batik', a long batik to wrap the whole body is a formal dress worn by women.
3. Traditional occasions like wedding ceremonies, or special ceremonies in royal families where the bride and the bridegroom wear similar Batik motif called Sidomukti, meaning happiness and prosperity throughout their lives. Same Batik motif represents togetherness. Batik with Truntum is worn by parents of the bride and the bridegroom and represents their guidance to the new couple who enter the new life together.
4. Traditional dresses are worn by women in Yogya and Solo court families and consists Jarit or Tapih or Singanj is a long Batik covering the whole body with a stagen, a low waist band, Kebaya is a full sleeves shirt made of silk, Selendang is a beautiful piece of cloth that truly complements the traditional batik attire, lastly the Kemben or Semekan worn for special ceremonies in palaces or ceremonies in royal families where Kemben is worn instead of Kebaya.
5. The Traditional dress of men include Jarit or Bebed is men kain panjang fastened with stagen, Surjan which is a long sleeved shirt without the batik fabric, Beskap is worn instead of Surjan and the fabric is not Batik, Blangkon is a headgear made from Batik and lastly Keris is a dagger that is worn on the backside of the waist, acts as a compliment to the traditional dress. Dodot is a traditional dress worn by the king himself that covers the lower body.

With such a huge collection of traditional Batik dresses which depict the tradition of the past is indeed a pleasure to experience.