High fashion: Annisa Pohan models designer batik at “The Allure of Modern Batik”. Since appearing on catwalks and in high fashion spreads, batik, once viewed by some as staid and stuffy, has enjoyed a popular revival. JP/Ricky YudhistiraFrom the cradle to the grave, batik is part of Indonesian life. Today the nation celebrates as batik is officially added to the Unesco list of the world's intangible cultural heritage. It is something of a human failing - not appreciating what we have until it has almost slipped through our fingers, especially those things that are intangible by nature. For centuries, Indonesians have been blessed with a rich ethnic diversity and a wealth of cultural heritage, but in the drive for modernization, it has often been overlooked. Not until this century have real efforts been made to protect and promote aspects of traditional culture. Fo...