Pointillistic: A worker paints on shirtâs sleeve at a warehouse of Batik Andis in Druju village, Malang, East Java
Several women are singing out of tune, breaking the prevailing silence, while their skillful hands draw with ink ' following the lines and motifs on silk fabrics.
The sight was common in Druju village, located some 60 kilometer south of Malang, East Java, home of Batik Andis.
An appealing countryside landscape welcomes visitors to the village, surrounded by a limestone mountain range stretching toward the southern coast of Java, with lush green sugarcane and coffee plantations to feast their eyes on.
The small village is home to batik motifs derived from Druju's natural and sociocultural background, hence, the name Druju batik popular among consumers.
The showroom displaying batik clothes and fabrics tempts customers as they enter the house-cum-gallery, managed by a married couple, Andik Subagiyo, 53, and Atik, 48.
The place opened in 1996 when Atik and Andik adopted the Malang style to inform their batik patterns.
The production house employs dozens of workers, mostly local housewives, who are free during the day, as well as teenagers.
'We initially employed several skilled batik makers from Lamongan, East Java, to share techniques with us. But for the last five years we've been independently creating our products in our own style,' said Atik.
Batik Andis' production almost entirely relies on manual skills although there are some items that are printed.
The other unique feature of this industry distinguishing it from most batik makers is the method of drawing batik patterns directly on ready-made clothes.
The production time ranges from a month to a year, depending on the intricacy of motifs and the fabrics used, which puts some customers on the waiting list to obtain certain types of Druju batik works.
'We prioritize product quality rather than mass production profits. Our creativity shouldn't be appreciated with buyers' money or status,' said Atik.
Druju batik is also characterized by its pitch-black color, darker than any other batik. The producer comes out with new motifs monthly while the earlier ones already marketed would not be remade to prevent duplication by other batik makers.
'Exhibitions usually become an arena of imitation of other novel patterns. But we don't care as our artistic flair can't be pirated,' Andik said.
Druju batik motifs feature a variety of designs, from working farmers, butterflies to coastal elements.
Crafted by applying complicated techniques, these products are sold at prices starting from Rp 400,000 (US$34.7).
Andis' Druju batik industry has no other outlets, meaning buyers have to visit the gallery to secure Druju batik, allowing them to observe the batik making process and request for their preferred designs.
Druju batik pieces have taken part in government sponsored exhibitions, with the clothes shown abroad, from Italy, the US to South Korea.
'Many are unaware that when they purchased batik abroad, they've bought our products,' Atik says.
' Photos by Aman Rochman
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.