In order to attest validity of products to boost its sales internationally, well-known batik designer Iwan Tirta recently held a seminar in Tokyo to repeat his calls for establishment of an authorized batik mark.
He said the batik stamp is required as it would help set apart authentic Indonesian handmade batik from similar goods produced in Malaysia and Thailand as well as from printed batik.
"It‘s like a car with the Toyota mark that is never misunderstood as a Nissan car," Tirta said at the seminar organized by the Japan Indonesia Economic Forum.
Government has given Iwan the responsibility of promoting country‘s authentic batik products. The designer said it is important to equip people with the right knowledge about batik to improve its brand value and help its standing in the international arena.
He also said that differentiating Indonesian batik from those made in other countries was also important.
"Malaysian batik, for example, is under the strong influence of Islam," Tirta said. "But Indonesian batik is free from any religious regulations."
In comparison to this, Indonesian batik is affected by several religions such as Hindu and Islam, as well as by Chinese and European cultures.
Its motifs are full of geometric figures such as squares and diagonal lines or figures like flowers, trees, birds and animals.
Source: www.fibre2fashion.com (14 September 2007)