KBRN, Jakarta: Shekar Hanum Pramesty, a young woman from Padang, West Sumatra, has been passionate about batik since her vocational school years.

A graduate of the Fine Arts Education Program at Padang State University (UNP), she has successfully pioneered her own batik brand, Shanumesty, born out of her commitment to preserving traditional hand-drawn batik and showcasing the richness of West Sumatra’s natural dyes.

Hanum’s journey in the batik industry began in 2020, when she joined the production team of Batik Tarancak in Solok. The experience sharpened her skills, and by 2023, she was accepting orders under her own brand.

Her dedication soon gained recognition. In 2024, she won first place in the Padang City Youth Pioneer competition and second place at the West Sumatra provincial level in the Arts and Culture category.

“I want to prove that batik craft is not a marginalized field. The future can be built from what we pursue,” Hanum said during the Minangkabau Cultural Appreciation event last November, as quoted by RRI.

Shanumesty’s creations are known for their exclusivity, crafted entirely by hand and colored with natural dyes. One of Hanum’s signature techniques is tanah liek batik, which uses clay as a natural dye.

“White cloth is soaked in clay for several days, producing a distinctive brown shade known as tanah liek batik,” she explained.

Hanum emphasized that the difference between tanah liek batik and conventional hand-drawn batik lies in the dyeing process rather than the motifs. At Shanumesty, she combines clay-based coloring with traditional wax-resist techniques, giving each fabric a unique character and natural beauty.

Hanum noted that many people still confuse hand-drawn batik with printed batik. “Hand-drawn batik has identical patterns on both sides of the fabric, translucent colors, and a distinctive wax aroma,” she said. “Printed batik is only colored on one side and lacks the scent of batik wax.”

At Shanumesty, the process begins with plain white cloth. The motif is drawn, then applied with wax using a canting.

“The wax lines form the batik design. The canting step is the hardest. If it’s neat, the colors will be arranged neatly too, with no bleeding outside the pattern,” Hanum explained.

Currently, Shanumesty produces both hand-drawn (batik tulis) and stamped (batik cap) batik. A stamped sarong-and-shawl set starts at IDR 400,000, while a hand-drawn set can cost up to IDR 1.8 million, depending on the complexity of the motif and number of colors.

Production time for a hand-drawn set ranges from two to four weeks, or longer for intricate designs. “If the motif is simple, maybe two weeks. But if it’s full of colors and details, it can take up to a month,” she said, as reported by RRI.

Despite the lengthy process, each piece is unique. “Once one is produced, it won’t be made the same again. That’s the beauty of hand-drawn batik,” Hanum said.

Beyond her craft, Hanum actively shares knowledge with the community. In 2023, she held free batik training, welcomed visits from government agencies, and introduced children to batik through cartoon motifs.

She also regularly speaks at arts events and collaborates with Batik Tarancak Solok and state-run vocational high school SMK Negeri 4 Padang to provide internship opportunities for students.

Despite her achievements, Hanum still faces challenges. She currently works on the terrace of her parents’ small house, vulnerable to rain and wind. Yet her parents’ encouragement keeps her motivated.

“Try and do all positive activities while you’re young, because opportunities don’t knock twice,” she recalled from their advice. “There’s always beauty in imperfection.”

Looking ahead, Hanum hopes Shanumesty will have a proper production space and reach wider markets. She envisions her business creating jobs and inspiring students in craft studies.

“I want them to see that this major isn’t something to be looked down upon, but a path to great opportunities and independence,” she said confidently. ***