History, Development, and Characteristics of Batik Bali

Batik is one of Indonesia’s popular and global cultures. Batik is a technique for creating motifs on fabrics and clothing by applying or sticking wax-resist dyeing. So, it should be understood that batik is a technique to make motifs, not the type of motif or fabric name. However, in its application, every region that develops batik has its unique motifs – but it is made with the same technique. In its history and development, batik developed more on the island of Java. Batik with a parang, pekalongan, and megamendung motifs are several types of batik motifs that are often known. However, did you know that Indonesia also has batik Bali (Balinese batik) motifs?

History of batik Bali

The development of batik Bali began around 1970. Batik Bali was pioneered by Pande Ketut Krisna from Banjar Tegeha, Batubulan Village, Sukawati District, Gianyar Regency, Bali. At the beginning of its manufacture and development, Ketut Krisna still uses the stamped batik technique with the help of manual looms.

At first, the Balinese themselves have used batik cloth in various activities related to traditional ceremonies or religious rituals. The batik is tied to the waist or is also used as a headband, or in Balinese terms, it is called udeng. And along with the development of the times and tourism, Balinese artists began to apply batik, not only to the udeng but also to clothes, bags and other fabric objects.

Batik Bali motif

Based on the motifs and shapes, the motifs that exist in this batik Bali have no limitations in terms of exploration and expression. Batik Bali itself is inspired by many things in Bali. The batik artists in Bali are free to express themselves based on the culture and natural charm of Bali which is their inspiration. Don’t be surprised if you have seen or heard of batik Denpasar or batik Ubud. The two batiks are still a type of batik Bali, only in the expression of the style more accentuating the culture of each region. You can come to batik class in Bali if you want to know and make batik Bali motifs.

In general, batik Bali has 3 main characteristics. The first is to have a nuance of tourist objects or the nature of Bali, such as frangipani flowers and hibiscus flowers, or bird and fish patterns. Also, batik Bali can illustrate the daily activities of the Balinese people. Secondly, batik Bali has cultural patterns or motifs, such as ceremonies or various religious rituals in Bali. Thirdly, batik Bali has a style about the mythology of magical creatures that are believed by the Balinese people, such as barong.

Another popular concept of batik Bali is that the weight of the fabric on Balinese batik products is heavier because it uses a type of Mori cloth. Also, batik Bali motifs have a characteristic mix of traditional and modern motifs. The scent of fabric with batik Bali is also very distinctive because it uses natural dyes.