BATIK
ne of the most popular and well-known Asian dyeing methods, is a resist dyeing technique that involves different methods (such as wax or mechanical means) to prevent dye from reaching all areas of a textile, which creates various images and designs. hails from Indonesia, and is practised in various Southeast and South Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. Stunning designs are made from hot wax and meticulously drawn by hand with a , a pen-like tool used to apply the wax to the fabric. There are numerous variations of patterns, with one such pattern being . Legend pattern was created by an Indonesian queen who was deeply saddened by her husband’s infidelity. To cope with her loneliness, she began creating patterns based on stars in the night sky. Upon seeing the fruit of his wife’s assiduous labour, the king’s love for his queen blossomed once more. Owing to the popularity of this legend, is often worn at weddings by married couples as a symbol of love and devotion. In addition to weddings, is also worn or used during many different occasions, some of which include traditional dance performances, death ceremonies, or ceremonies (Javanese rituals that are held during the seventh month of a prospective mother’s first pregnancy). is such a prized and extraordinary craft that it was added to UNESCO’s 2009 list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
