| #ffffff;" /> | | | | coverings. As a fashion item, batik will not look |
| What better complement to sun-drenched sandy | | | | out-of-place in any casual, formal or high fashion wear. |
| beaches and swaying palm trees than locally made | | | | In fact, most official functions in Malaysia allow the |
| batik, you might ask. So it's only natural and inevitable | | | | wearing of batik in place of the more somber coat |
| that Penang island, being a world-famous tourist | | | | and tie. The cabin-crew staff of Malaysia's national |
| destination, has a thriving batik industry in | | | | carrier have always worn batik as their uniforms, even |
| manufacturing, exporting and retailing. | | | | from the days when it was known as MSA |
| Shops and stalls carrying batik items are too numerous | | | | (Malaysia-Singapore Airlines). Although batik has never |
| to mention but they can be found along the Batu | | | | gone out of fashion in Malaysia, it has seen a recent |
| Ferringhi tourist belt, Penang Road, Campbell Street | | | | upswing in popularity, due largely to the efforts of the |
| and KOMTAR to name a few. Most souvenir and | | | | country's First Lady, Datin Seri Endon Mahmood. |
| clothing shops will stock at least several batik | | | | Her passion for all things batik took shape in a |
| items.One of the most popular batik retailers in George | | | | campaign called "Batik, Crafted for the World" which |
| Town is Sam's Batik House, located on Penang Road. | | | | aims to spotlight Malaysian produced batik products via |
| Founded in 1982 by Shamdas Bhaktani, the business | | | | promotions and activities. |
| has since been taken over by his two sons Monohar | | | | Batik has come to be used as a generic term which |
| and Prem. Monohar's wife Rachel manages the store | | | | refers to the process of dyeing fabric by making use |
| and is a source of information on batik items. | | | | of a resist technique; covering areas of cloth with a |
| It goes without saying that batik has long been part of | | | | dye-resistant substance to prevent them absorbing |
| the Malaysian national culture. Its versatile nature and | | | | colors. The technique is thought to be over a thousand |
| esthetically pleasing designs make it the ideal material | | | | years old and historical evidence demonstrates that |
| for a variety of things, men's shirts, sarongs, women's | | | | cloth decorated with this resist technique was in use in |
| kaftans, aprons, slippers, picture frames, gift boxes, | | | | the early centuries AD in Africa, the Middle East and in |
| paintings, bed spreads and even wall and furniture | | | | several places in Asia. |