TEMPO.CO, Magelang - Not everyone knows Magelang produces batik. It has quite unique patterns as they picture village legends and tales on the fabric. Magelang batik pioneer, Kelik Subarjo said, being invented in 2010, the idea came up to bring out a unique signature.“Magelang does not have much history in terms of batik creation,” he said.

Together with his friends, Kelik began to create some batik patterns. Finally, 17 village names taken from 17 districts around Magelang were picked. “Those villages picked as patterns are those with legendary stories or unique tales,” Kelik said.

Some of the villages are Gelangan, Bayeman, Mirikerep, Mantiasih, Kebonpolo, Watertoren, and Patenjurang. Bayeman village introduces the pattern of spinach leaves and Watertoren is show water pipes during Dutch colonialism.

Forty batik patterns have been collected to date. This batik uses both printing and hand-drawing methods. It is produced by eight joint-venture businesses employing housewives, young people, and men. “The price is various. The printed one starts from Rp.120,000 and if you pick the one with hand-drawing patterns, it costs Rp.300,000,” he said.

Koko Sisminarko, Magelang batik pioneer who is hugely interested in the hand-drawing batik added, Magelang batik is still struggling to get into the market. “Our focus is to introduce the patterns first. It is not easy to do because Magelang batik is different,” Koko said, saying the batik is recently available in Jakarta and Semarang markets.

OLIVIA LEWI PRAMESTI