Malaysian Batik Clothing: Colorful Patterns and Designs

A trip to a foreign land, and your loved ones back home look forward to gifts or souvenirs you would get for them. No? Batik clothing is a good choice when you are hunting for souvenir gifts in Malaysia.

Each country has its own traditional crafts that have been passed on for centuries. Some are dying arts due to neglect, serious efforts are on to revive them. These skills are still preserved, practiced and produced. Malaysia’s Batik is one such traditional textile art.

The Batik Sarongs of Malaysia which were once considered everyday wear have been replaced. Tastes have changed, today modern garments are preferred choice.

The traditional textile art would have passed into oblivion but for the efforts that are on to preserve this knowledge. Kraftangan, government run schools of Malaysia include this traditional art in the curriculum.

Malaysian Batik Clothing

Batikers today make elegant designs with cool crisp colors in traditional methods. In terms of print, color, designs you get a good variety.

Flowers and leaves are most common motifs. You will hardly find human or animal forms, the reason being Islamic norms forbid human and animal motifs for decorations. Some batikers produce bright modern look which appeals more to the tourists. Women too are employed in the batik making process.

There are two types of Batiks in Malaysia: Hand drawn batik and Block printed Batik. The former one more time consuming and expensive and there is ‘uniqueness’ to it. Block printed technique is good for mass production.

Malaysian Batik pattern

Special tours are conducted for visiting tourists to get a glimpse of their working styles. With economic downturn many talented batikers had to shut down their shops, but increasing tourist interests in such traditional hand-stamped and block-printed batik fabrics keep them going.

I once got a Batik fabric from a Malaysian blogger friend when we met up in Bangalore. Most of you may know her, she blogs at “Keats The Sunshine Girl”.

So, now you know what to pack and wrap as gift for your loved ones back home when you tour Malaysia!

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30 Responses to “Malaysian Batik Clothing: Colorful Patterns and Designs

  • ive doned my batik at MyBatik .in Kuala Lumpur ,during my holidays
    good staff to teach u the way and art of doing a batik ,i doned my 2 meters long batik with my kids .they all enjoy doing it .
    also beside the MyBatik workshop there s a cafe .with delicious Hearty Breakfast set .it goes well with a cup of hot latte ,the staff also serves the latte with cute design on it

    i bought a batik design dress for the missus .at their MyBatik Boutique ..

    had a great day there …i would love to share their address and enquiry

    yayasan seni 333 ,persiaran ritchie of jalan ritchie .kuala lumpur
    opens at 8am -5pm
    enquiry no 0123887343 or 0162203190

  • This is really great! It reminded me of my batik painting experience at MyBatik, Kuala Lumpur. I'd recommend everyone to go for batik painting if you were to visit Malaysia, because it is one of Malaysia's ancient traditional arts. I had the privilege to experience batik painting while i was on my visit to the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. I stumbled upon MyBatik whilst i was walking around KL, from KLCC. I didn't even know the place existed, it is a beautiful place, very relaxing in the midst of chaotic Kuala Lumpur. I was really pleased with the batik painting that i made there, by myself. I find the price reasonable too. For anyone who is visiting Kuala Lumpur, this is an opportunity not to be missed! Give batik painting a try!

  • Just beautiful and the same pattern can be seen on Singapore's national dress too 🙂

  • man`s wear indonosia lunky old model.nice shot

  • Thanks a ton friends for your valuable comments.
    Meena, India has its own patterns, though there may be exchange of designs. I am not very aware of it.

  • Arent they being replicated in Indian bedsheets and saris?

  • how unfortunate that it is disappearing. hopefully a revival will prevent the arts from being lost.

  • Batiks are my favorite! Beautiful colors and designs in there. Nice post.

  • Nice post on Batik

  • Very beautiful work of art

  • The discipline and practice this art requires just humbles and amazes me. These are gorgeous works.

  • Beautiful art work ~ design is amazing ~ (A Creative Harbor)

  • Now that is a beautiful gift 🙂

    Bikram's

  • Interesting post and shots. I love batik and one of my favorite table cloths is a beautiful batik one a family member picked up on her travels.

  • nice to know about the Batiks

  • I was able to see batik fabric being made on Bali many years ago. I brought home some shirts, which we a big hit with my family and friends.

  • Welcome Indrani!
    Fantastic designs and beautiful fabrics.
    I send a lot of greetings.
    Lusia

  • Hello Indrani, I have always love batiks, the colours and designs…and when worn by a beautiful maiden as a sarong, can be devastating to the eyes, ha ha.
    Love your stylish eloquence.
    Have fun and keep a song in your heart.
    Lee.

  • I absolutely love those patterns. I am amazed at the work that is put into them.

  • What stunning batik pieces!

  • Such gorgeous and intricate fabrics. Fabulous!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  • Brilliant shooting. I have always been in love with Batik.

  • Beautiful design and fabrics. the tour sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing! Have a great day!

  • ooh! they are so beautiful! and such intricate designs! would love to see how they are made!

  • wow . First design was wonderful and photo was too.

  • Beautiful! I hope they continue creating these batiks in their traditional form. It is an artform that hopefully survives the ups and downs of the local economy.

  • Very informative and very beautiful.

  • I would love to go on one of those tours. The batiks you have shown are marvelous!

  • such beautiful and ornate fabrics.

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