Classic Batik and Contemporary Touch

Along the development of batik techniques, many new things have popped up such as motifs and production methods as we can see today. One of them is jumputan technique that is often used in Indonesia. Although plenty new contemporary batik motifs have sprung up, classical batik still resides within the heart of its enthusiasts.

Classical batik itself is a batik having a lot of artistic values, this is due to the intricate workings of the batik and the production time which takes quite a while. Classical batik has many basic patterns with an array of variation on its motif, for example, kawung, parang, nitik, truntum, ceplok, tambal, etc. The fabric utilized for the production of classical batik is not just some random fabric but uses fine white cotton or white silk.

(https://id.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120719194547AAlnZJ8&guccounter=1).

To know and learn about classical batik and the fusion of contemporary batik – which is a recent trend –, on Monday, 12th of November 2018, we managed to interview one of batik producer, R.M. Kumarhadi Suryoputro, S.E (aged 78) at his house. Romo Kumar, his nickname, is the grandson of Sultanate Hamengku Buwono VIII. Currently, he acts as a financial staff for the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat palace. He claimed that he is a batik artist. His works are for sale at the Kumar batik shop, located at the palace’s surroundings. Now he only created batik patterns and motifs, his son who manages the shop has limited edition handmade motif batik brands.

Does Romo Kumar feel challenged with the emergence of newer batik models? It turns out that he felt to be challenged because batik is a culture and it requires skills to create a work of art. Romo Kumar isn’t only focused on classic basic motifs but also he mixes it with contemporary batik motifs. This is clearly shown by some of his works that he showed to us.

As we know, batik means drawing on fabric, especially one that was made by pouring wax, a naturally produced solid substance (https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batik). If jumputan only uses the dipping technique, can it still be called batik? Romo Kumar tackled this question by saying that it still can be called batik when it combines batik techniques with wax. It means batik is batik, doesn’t matter the model or the technique.

Romo Kumar also left us with a message, “Batik is not only for Javanese, anyone can freely practice it and it is better if they can come with their own local motifs, because batik is a cultural heritage which we should maintain.”

Batik which he made is for sale for prices ranging from two hundred fifty thousand rupiahs, up to millions per sheet. His batiks will never be the same with others’ because he designed it himself, utilizing a harmony of contemporary and classic batik motifs. Interesting isn’t it? If you want to know more about batik, keep an eye to our website around November-December 2018 for articles about batik. (SAP).