The Question is how can we be part to save that heritage?
Let's start to know about batik.
There are 3 types of Batik based on the technique:
1. Batik Tulis: fabric is decorated by hand using canting. It takes months to make a piece of Batik tulis.
2. Batik cap: fabric is decorated by copper. Normally, it takes only weeks to make it.
3. Batik Lukis: fabric is decorated with painting.
Nowadays people already wear batik for daily, it's a good sign and something that we need to maintain it as Indonesian. As I love batik and tenun, I started to explore more and when I watched Nia Dinata’s movie called “Batik Our Love Story” I found that batik crafter still lives very marginal and even sometimes they are paid below minimum wages, to the contrary with the high price of the batik itself.
Besides of that, there also a Big Gap in regeneration of the crafter, as now young people prefers to work in factory or city. There are several reasons like they think that producing batik takes a lot of effort, and yet they don’t make enough money from there.
“Batik Our Love Story” was a great documentary movie. From there I know more about Batik. The movie tells us how they make batik, tell the story of batik crafter and of course the people who live with. Thanks to Nia Dinata.
The movie also inspired me to spread the “Virus” – a good Virus where people need to know more about batik, so we as Indonesian can be proud and be part to save Indonesian heritage. At least we know the differences between batik tulis, cap and printing. So sad nowadays people tell that they already wear batik where actually it’s printed and they don’t realize it – and the worst part, it wasn’t printed in Indonesia. It can be printed in any country in this part of the world. I knew this, and I started to realize that I want to participate to save our heritage through Chasing My Dream (CMD) and promote Batik.
It takes time to educate people about Batik as Batik printing is far cheaper than Batik tulis and cap. However I still believe the story and the beauty that written in Batik tulis is different. It shows the real Indonesian heritage, it shows the spirit of our people, it shows the nice and how beautiful our country, it shows everything about Indonesia from Sabang to Merauke and you should be proud of it, because it shows your Identity. CMD is my first step to be part of saving our heritage. My next step is to have CMD’s own crafter, by having that I want to upgrade the living quality of those crafters. And after that I want to open “batik Crafting” class for public or students so I can give information to my society especially young generation about batik and how to make it so they can appreciate and start to love our heritage.
Lastly, I want to give scholarship to young generation who has the creativity and love Indonesian traditional fabric. With this scholarship, I think they can learn and share to their society and help to upgrade their living quality. In addition to that, our heritage will still exist.
So, do you want to be a part of saving our heritage?
2sides dress (fabric: Batik Tulis Madura)
Menswear (fabric Batik Tulis Cirebon)
Dress (Fabric Batik Tulis Pekalongan)
