From Sarong to Sari: Rabindranath Tagore and the Batik of Java

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Batik fabrics are important accessories of Santiniketan festivals, including the ‘Ploughing the Fields’ ceremony created by Tagore in 1928. Photo Amit Kumar Danda

From Sarong to Sari: Rabindranath Tagore and the Batik of Java

NSW Textile Study Group Event with Maria Wronska-Friend

In 1927, Rabindranath Tagore – the Indian writer and artist who was the first Nobel prize winner from Asia – visited Java and Bali. He was amazed to find that certain cultural traditions, introduced from India to Indonesia centuries ago, still flourished in the 20th century. On Java he became interested in the technique of wax-resist dyeing known as batik and, on return to the university town of Santiniketan in West Bengal, he decided to introduce batik to the curriculum of the Kala Bhawana Art College.

To support this project even further, dozens of batik textiles were purchased in Central Java and, in Bengal, they were used as teaching aids for students as well as costumes and stage decorations in dance dramas composed by Tagore. The Indonesian technique found numerous followers in Santiniketan and evolved into a new, distinctive form of Bengali textile art. In the early 21st century, Bengali batik grew into a thriving cottage industry, becoming the most significant legacy of Tagore’s visit to Java and his desire to re-establish cultural links between both countries.

The talk will be illustrated with Santiniketan batiks, followed by a demonstration of how to drape a Bengali batik sari.

Maria Wronska-Friend
Dr Maria Wronska-Friend is an anthropologist and museum curator who has dedicated more than thirty years towards the study of Asian textiles. Batik of Java, in an international context, is the main area of her studies. Since 1992 she has been associated with James Cook University where she is currently Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Cairns Institute.

Cost:  TAASA Members $25, Non-members: $35.   Light refreshments will be served.

Please make all bookings and payments in advance, via this website

For further information email bookings@taasa.org.au

The end panel of a batik sari, designed by Jamuna Sen. Produced in 2012, Santiniketan.

Tickets

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Sarong to Sari - Member
From Sarong to Sari
$ 25.00
Unlimited
Sarong to Sari - Non-Member
From Sarong to Sari
$ 35.00
Unlimited

Details

Date:
11 March
Time:
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm AEDT
Cost:
$25.00 – $35.00
Event Category:
Event Tags:
Website:
https://www.taasa.org.au

Organiser

TAASA
Email
bookings@taasa.org.au

Venue

Annie Wyatt Room at the National Trust Centre
Upper Fort Street
Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia
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Phone:
0292580123
View Venue Website