Friday October 13, 2006

Drawing attention to the batik sarong By CHRISTINA LOW
Photos by LAI VOON LOONG Kraftangan Malaysia, in an attempt to popularise the wearing of the batik sarong by the younger generation, held the Enchanting Sarong 2006 exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex early last month. The four-day event showcased the different ways of making and wearing the batik sarong. Students from Institut Kraftangan Rawang were brought in to demonstrate to visitors how the different types of batik sarong are made – whether the patterns are hand-drawn or made using the block or screening methods. Local and foreign visitors also had the chance to participate in the demonstration with guidance from students as well as teachers from Kraftangan Malaysia’s Kelantan branch.

Dewi Murni demonstrating how to make hand-drawn batik.

According to Kraftangan Malaysia marketing and promotions assistant officer Isnaniyah Ismail, there are three parts to a sarong, the head, body and leg. “In the old days people used to say that if a woman wears the head of the sarong in front it means that she’s still ‘available’ and if she wears it behind, it’s a sign that she is married,” she said.

A batik block printing demonstration by Nur Aishah Che Ani.

“Sadly, the batik sarong is now worn only by the older generation,” she said during a media tour of the exhibition. During the tour, Kraftangan Malaysia craft instructor Mazlan Abdul Ghani showed how screen batik printings were made using two large wood-framed blocks.

A lovely piece of batik sarong made using the screening method.

“This method, which originates from Kelantan, is rarely used today as many have moved on to using machines for printing batik,” he said. The screens are washed and dried before the next colour can be applied onto the cloth. Every framed block that Mazlan and his assistants use bears a different design; hence only one colour can be used on one framed block.

Mazlan (left) and his assistant showing how batik is made using the screen method.

“For example, a sarong that has two colours would only need two framed screens,” said the 38-year-old. Isnaniyah said hand-painted batik was the most expensive batik-making method because each design had to be pencil drawn first on the material before candle waxing and painting were done. “Each design is unique as no two batik sarong drawings can look alike,” she added. As for the third method, this is the block printing style which makes use of aluminium blocks to stamp the designs on the cloth. “The design is finer when one uses the aluminium block to stamp on the cloth,” said Isnaniyah. Kraftangan Malaysia also invited more than 45 entrepreneurs to showcase their batik products at the event. The sarong they sold, ranging from batik textiles to songket and woven materials, comprised those with contemporary and traditional designs originating from Kelantan, Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang and Negri Sembilan.