What Is Batik 77
Batik is a hand-woven cloth patterned with traditional Javanese motifs and dyed with natural and synthetic colorants. The process is known as batik lukis or “bathi,” and the wax used in this art form is called “canting.” Traditionally, this technique involved dipping or stamping colored dyes onto the cotton fabric, then using a pen to write or draw on top of the colored dyes with a wax-dipped tip. The finished batik is then boiled to remove the waxes, a process that creates its distinct look. Batik is an important part of Malaysian and Indonesian culture, and in 2009 UNESCO declared it as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Historically, batik was made with natural resources such as plants and insects, but today it is most commonly manufactured with chemical dyes that are more readily available than natural ones. The most common dyes used on cellulose fibers are reactive dyes (e.g., Remazol and Procion MX), naphthol dyes (e.g., fast scarlet R and fast yellow GC), and acid dyes such as indigo, safran, and eucalyptus.
The textile industry produces large amounts of wastewater, with high concentrations of pollutants resulting from the dyeing process. Flowing untreated, this wastewater can pollute water streams and degrade environmental quality. To prevent such an event, batik workshops should be required to treat the wastewater prior to its discharge.
Wastewater treatment is a process of purifying contaminated water by utilizing physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological processes. The goal of the treatment is to make the wastewater acceptable for the environment, while maintaining the quality of the batik production process.
Some of the major challenges in treating batik wastewater include its toxicity and high level of contaminants, such as carcinogenic dyes and heavy metals. In order to meet these challenges, a number of wastewater treatment technologies are available for batik workshops.
Batik has become a cultural icon for the people of both Malaysia and Indonesia, with its unique colors and patterns. It is also a symbol of perseverance and the hope that love will endure forever. For example, the truntum motif on a batik is believed to represent the royal Queen Kanjeng Ratu Kencana’s devotion to her husband. This motif was designed by the Queen after her husband disregarded her, and it embodies her hope that his love for her will grow stronger as time passes.
The Museum Batik Keraton in Yogyakarta, Indonesia contains thousands of batik collections that showcase the various motifs and styles of this art form. These fabrics are printed in Indonesia with designs inspired by the country’s history and heritage. The museum was inaugurated on June 28, 1976, by Mrs. Tien Soeharto and is a must-visit for all those who are interested in learning more about the history of batik in Indonesia. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the entrance fee being 10 Rupiah. rtp batik77 is located on Jalan KS Tubun, No. 4, Petamburan, West Jakarta, Indonesia.
