Bkay Nair Plans To Produce A Documentary On Batik Art
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- The enduring beauty of Malaysian batik, with its diverse motifs on high-quality fabrics, has cemented its place as a national heritage that transcends time.
Inspired by the artistry of batik-making, actress and celebrity entrepreneur Bkay Nair has announced plans to produce a documentary showcasing this unique craft as part of her efforts to promote and preserve Malaysia’s cultural heritage.
Bkay, whose full name is Tryambikay Vengades Nair, 42, hopes the documentary will ensure this centuries-old art form remains a national identity and achieves global recognition.
“We’ve been planning this project since last year, but sometimes it takes time to bring everything together.
“The documentary will feature interviews with batik artisans from across the country who will share their stories about the art of batik, including the discipline behind its creation, the various designs and types, and the colour selection in each piece,” Bkay said after the launch of the Malaysian Heritage Showcase 2024 (MHS2024) fashion show themed ‘6 Yards of Beauty’ last Saturday.
Although the production of the documentary may be considered a small effort, the actress of Ratu The Movie hopes it will be impactful and serve as a valuable reference for the public in the future.
Meanwhile, Bkay said MHS2024 is a pioneering initiative to revive Malaysian textiles through the introduction of Batik Sari, marking an important milestone in showcasing batik as a global art form that blends heritage and innovation.
She said the event featured 70 exclusive designs by nine local designers, 33 of which were Batik Sari, introduced for the first time on this platform.
“The main goal of MHS2024 is to promote Malaysian textiles. After all, our country does not yet have a uniquely Malaysian-designed sari, as most saris sold here are imported from India.
“So, we came up with the idea of introducing a Malaysia-made sari using batik fabric, which can also serve as a symbol of national pride,” she said.
Bkay said 15 Batik Sari designs under the My Pride brand were crafted using the canting technique by inmates from four Malaysian prisons: Machang and Pangkalan Chepa in Kelantan, Marang in Terengganu, and Kajang in Selangor.
Additionally, she unveiled eight Batik Sari designs under her own Bkay Nair brand, produced using machine-print techniques. These 5.5-metre saris feature motifs inspired by Malaysian culture, showcasing the fusion of traditional artistry with modern design.
In line with these efforts, Bkay aims to nominate Batik Sari as an intangible cultural heritage under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
“Through this event, we hope to bring the uniqueness of our heritage to UNESCO. The recognition from UNESCO has the potential to elevate our nation’s artistic and cultural treasures on a global scale,” she said.
As part of the event, four prestigious awards were presented to encourage innovation, appreciate creativity, and support young designers and individuals from prison programmes, fostering inclusivity and creating opportunities for rehabilitation through arts and craft.
The awards included Young Vision Award presented to young designer Sharleen David; Resilience in Design Award awarded to the My Pride brand; Best Innovative Pattern Award given to Munir Yahya from Dimu Design; and Cultural Heritage Award awarded to Linda Isa.
-- BERNAMA
