Batik industry originated centuries ago in countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia and was brought to Sri Lanka by the Dutch. Batik weaving is one of the most important and traditional industries in Sri Lanka. Most importantly, they represent an integral part of the country’s rich culture and have given the island a distinctive identity. Batik certainly features designs in striking and bright colors. Often the animals, flowers, Kandyan dancers, and the procession are decorated with large prints. Batik making is prevalent from Hikkaduwa, Galle, north of Negombo up to Mahawewa.
Advantages of Batik Industry
Although the batik industry in Sri Lanka is a small scale industry, it makes maximum use of individual creative skills and creativity. Its economic advantage is the profit it makes from dealing with foreign customers. It now stands out from the rest of the island’s handicrafts industry, with galleries and factories sprawling in large and small and large tourist areas. Many colorful batik shops and stalls can be found on Galle Road in Hikkaduwa. The shops sell clothes made of batik (including fancy beachwear), wall hangings, tablecloths, bedding, etc. Most are made of cotton but some are made of silk.
In addition to the shops, there are a number of batik factories in the Mahawewa area, many of which allow visitors to visit. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the dyeing process first hand as well as how it is designed from scratch. You can get great deals on batik, which is a great gift for friends and family. Therefore, this opportunity is ideal for those who wish to study batik in Sri Lanka.
Process of Batik Technology
Batik is a technology used for wax-resistant dyeing. The most commonly used material is cotton, which absorbs the dye. Batik is made either by drawing dots and lines of the resist with a spouted tool, called canting, or by printing the resist with a copper stamp called a cap. Use a stiff brush to apply wax to large patterns. The liquid is then immersed in the dye and the wax is removed from the boiling water. This gives the wax area a different color compared to the dyed area. For intricate multi-color designs, the process is repeated with different area waxes and dyes of different colors. The designs are usually very colorful and unique.
