Indonesian event inspires visitors’ artistic talents

Abu Dhabi: “If you are genuinely interested in something, you can create wonderful things without much training,” said Laila Al Khusna, a professional batik designer based in Indonesia.

She was talking about batik designs made by the visitors at a workshop led by her at an Indonesia community event in the capital.

“You don’t need to be an artist to make wonderful colourful combinations,” she told Gulf News.

Batik is a cloth that is traditionally made using a manual wax-resist dyeing technique that has been popular for centuries in Indonesia. Unesco designated Indonesian batik as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

Al Khusna noticed that many visitors, especially women and children, who created the beautiful designs, did not have any artistic background. “It is their genuine interest and enthusiasm that created these wonderful works,” Al Khusna said.

Batik represents Indonesia’s rich culture. Traditional batik from Java island has notable meanings rooted in the Javanese conceptualisation of the universe. Other regions of Indonesia have their own unique patterns that normally take themes from everyday lives, incorporating patterns such as flowers, nature, animals, folklore or people.

The workshop was held as part of the annual Indonesian Charity Bazaar organised by the Indonesian Embassy and Indonesian Women’s Association, at the embassy premises in the capital on Saturday.

Rina Mulyono, 35, an Indonesian resident, said,although she had enjoyed batik designs back home, it was the first time she had designed it herself. “It was a rare opportunity.”

Emma High, 9, a British pupil, was impressed with the wax-resist dyeing technique of batik. The wax prevents colours from scattering all over the cloth, she said.

Her mother Helene High said she enjoyed the foods from several regions of Indonesia. “Life in the UAE gives us such a nice opportunity to know many other cultures,” she said.

Batik design clothes were also a big hit at the stalls selling traditional items. “Most of the visitors purchased batik clothes,” said Ria Margiadi, 45, and Oki Loekito, 43.

Widya Borland, 50, said batik design wallets were bought by many visitors. Small handmade crafts and a flute made of natural bamboo were also the most sought-after items, she said.

The proceeds from the event will go towards funding the education of scavenger children in Jakarta streets, said Salman Al Farisi, Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE. The Dh 70,000 collected last year was used to build classrooms and a library at a school for scavenger children, he said. Moreover it is a festival that facilitates a meeting of Indonesian expatriates and their friends in the capital. “Everybody enjoys the traditional Indonesian music, dance, martial art and other cultural programmes performed by Indonesian artists in Abu Dhabi,” the envoy said.

Many traditional items on display narrated the rich history and culture of Indonesia.

Zahra Athaya, 19, an Indonesian student, who was selling traditional items, said the puppets resembling epic characters were a favourite with many visitors.

The number of visitors to the Bazaar has been increasing every year, said Lely Meliani, first secretary at the Indonesian Embassy.