Wayang Batik – Hindu Influences in the Art of Indonesia

Isn’t that Lord Ganesh bowing?

(the elephant’s trunk is the clue…)

Lord Ganesha in Asset 1749

This is a scene from a large Wayang Batik textile from Cirebon Indonesia.

Surprised by the Hindu God’s inclusion in an Indonesian art?

The culture of Cirebon exhibits Hindu influences because of the Hindu King Siliwangi in the 15th century. Oral traditions, supported by Wayang performances, offer a glimpse into these cultural influences – with the Ramayan & Mahabharat well-entrenched in their culture.

Wovensouls has recently acquired several Wayang textiles that are no longer made, featuring cultural stories. Here are some glimpses:

Lord Hanuman from Ramayan in Asset 1748

Wayang Batik Indonesian Art Masterpieces

Bhima (of the Pandavas) in Nagalok – Asset 1772

For me, this group of art is a mesmerising discovery.

At the time when this art form was born, the culture of Cirebon was a unified braid that had the Indian Hindu ideology as an important strand. Today, several hundred years later, though art form has survived, the braid has unraveled and evolved. And I wonder if Cirebon in islamic Indonesia still holds on to Hinduism like Bali does. It is time to go and find out.

As I study the scenes in the Batiks, I can identify only some of the characters and then with the explanation from the late artist’s wife (via translators), I get more clues. And I learn about stories that well-read Hindus already know. Now through these artworks, it is my time to learn.

The greatest delight is that it is through Indonesian Art that I receiving these teachings!

Traditional Art will never cease to wow me!

VIEW ALL THE WAYANG BATIKS ON WOVENSOULS.COM HERE

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jaina mishra