Assalamualaikum W.B.T. We would like to apologize for the delay in submitting this post due to technical problems. This week, we will take you to Kartika Kiara Batik located in Kota Bharu, Kelantan to identify one tourism product in Kelantan, batik and learn about the process of batik production.

The factory slammed batik.

A box containing some silk silk rolls from China

Silk fabrics imported from China are used to knit the batik pattern on it. The purchase of silk fabric involves a lot of spending and it is one of the factors of batik selling at a fairly expensive price. Each box can reach thousands of Ringgits.

Silk fabrics from China

If there is any mistake during the batik-painting process, they will be able to correct the mistakes of the pattern. This is so, the silk fabric is bought at an expensive price and this can prevent wastage.

Patterns above batik are stabbed by candles and kerosene that have been heated to liquid. Canting in the form of cladding of cone is used to strip batik pattern on silk cloth by using a mixture of wax and kerosene that has been diluted.

The melting process of candles and kerosene

Canting is used to curl the batik pattern.

Batik patterns that are sliced on silk fabric are according to their own creativity. Therefore, batik patterns look attractive and unique. Batik patterns drawn on silk cloth usually have flora elements. The time taken to complete the batik pattern is 3 hours every 4 meters of silk cloth.

Finished, the cloth was left dry. The process of colouring batik begins after the painting of a mixture of candles and kerosene is dried.

Among the tools used for the colouring process.

Colour powder to be brewed for colouring process.

Colour powder is brewed with water then it is used to colour the background and batik motif part. The colour powder can also be mixed to produce a variety of interesting colours.

The process of colouring the batik background

The process of colouring batik motifs

After the process of colouring ready batik, batik cloth is left so dry.

Batik fabrics are left to dry

Then, the batik cloth is boiled in the chemical to remove the impression of wax and kerosene. After the wax disappears, the batik cloth is dried to dry.

Batik cloth is being dried.

After that, the finished batik cloth will be sent to the batik shop or sale center for sale

There are three types of batik fabrics sold in the store namely 'cotton', 'silk crepe' and 'jacquard'. Batik 'jacquard' is sold at an expensive price because of its high quality. It should also be carefully maintained to prevent damage. For example, the cloth cannot be sunk in the sun.

Example of 'jacquard' cloth.

Batik patterns also have different types. Among them are the usual contra, bubbles, peacocks and so on. Batik with a contrasting pattern can be found at a cheap price.

Examples of peacock batik patterns.

Bubbles batik pattern.

Contemporary batik pattern

The price of batik depends on the type of fabric and pattern. We have also met Kartika Kiara Batik owner Mr. Mohd Nasir B. Yusoff. He has explained a little about his store history. He and his wife, Mrs. Zaini Bt. Ismail opened the shop in 1990 at Kampung Kijang. The shop is fully operational in 2007. Kartika Kiara Batik is also known as Kartika Kiara Sdn. Bhd.

Mr. Mohd Nasir B. Yusoff

We are impressed with Kartika Kiara Batik because the shop has also been awarded as 1Malaysia People's Favorite Shop in terms of skills. You can also go to Kartika Kiara Batik website here.

Posted by : Azman