Batik presentation in Doha

The traditional handmade Indonesian batik has attracted most American women in Qatar. The women were left dumbstruck with amazement at the subtle way in which batik was made during a presentation by Indonesian Ambassador Rozy Munir at Retaj Al Rayyan Hotel yesterday.

“The presentation was informative, it’s an eye opener,” said Nisreen Baker Fingerson, president of American Women Association, citing the impression of some of the members who came to the meeting.

Munir, in his presentation, explained how the age-old batik was being meticulously made from plain fabric to colourful designs, mostly floral patterns processed by months of waxing and dyeing before it turning into the finished product.

“Batik has been both an art and craft for centuries. In Java, Indonesia, batik is part of the ancient tradition, and some of the finest batik cloth in the world is still made there,” Munir pointed out.

He cited there are two kinds of batik which are the more expensive hand made/drawn or called Batik Sulis and printed /stamped or Batik Cup which will be turned into either scarf, shawl and traditional dresses for men and women.

Fingerson said the women learnt a lot from the presentation and were more enlightened by the documentary. She said members of their group were impressed upon learning the intricacies of batik making that most of them bought from the display of the finished products by the Indonesian women working at the Embassy.

“Some of the women would even want to make a frame out of the batik they bought for display at home,” Fingerson said. Arifina Eka Sari, Third Secretary of the Indonesian Embassy, said the American women would want to frame as works of arts on display at home could be the scarves and shawls since these are mostly hand painted.