Source: Tarumanagara Foundation
UNESCO designated batik as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia on October 2, 2009. Since then, October 2 has been commemorated as National Batik Day.
As one of the universities in Indonesia, Universitas Tarumanagara also celebrates this special moment. This year, Untar held the “Untarian Berbatik” event, which is also part of the 66th Dies Natalis series of Untar.
The event featured a fashion show showcasing Universitas Tarumanagara students, staff, and lecturers wearing selected batik outfits from the Batik Gobang collection owned by Ethys Mayosi. The models’ performances were warmly welcomed with applause and laughter from the audience, consisting of Universitas Tarumanagara academic community members, adding to the lively atmosphere of the event.
Leaders of Untar and the Tarumanagara Foundation together with the owner of Batik Gobang // Doc: Untar Public Relations
On the same occasion, Chairperson of the Untarian Berbatik Committee, who is also Head of Public Relations of Universitas Tarumanagara, Rorlen, S.E., M.M., expressed appreciation and gratitude to all parties involved. “Thank you to the models, participants, committee members, and Ms. Ethys Mayosi as the owner of Batik Gobang who has provided the batik clothing collection for this event,” he said.
The event involved collaboration with a lecturer from the Faculty of Psychology Universitas Tarumanagara who has expertise in culture, Untung Subroto, M.Psi., Psychologist.
Portrait of the Committee Chair, Rorlen, delivering remarks // Doc: Untar Public Relations
In line with this, Ethys Mayosi in her remarks expressed appreciation to Universitas Tarumanagara for contributing to the preservation of batik within higher education institutions. She stated that Universitas Tarumanagara is the first university to organize an outdoor batik-themed fashion show. “It is hoped that in the future more educational institutions will introduce batik through events such as fashion shows on campus,” she said.
Festive atmosphere of the Untarian Berbatik event // Doc: Tarumanagara Foundation
The event was attended by the Rector of Universitas Tarumanagara, Prof. Dr. Amad Sudiro, S.H., M.H., M.Kn., M.M., as well as the Chairperson of the Tarumanagara Foundation, Prof. Ariawan Gunadi, S.H., M.H., along with their ranks. The series of events also included a symbolic handover of Batik Gobang from Ethys Mayosi to the Rector and the leadership of the Tarumanagara Foundation.
“Efforts to preserve batik culture like this must be maintained. Thank you for initiating this event. Universitas Tarumanagara will continue to support cultural preservation efforts like this,” said the Rector of Universitas Tarumanagara.
Ballet performance in the Untarian Berbatik event // Doc: Untar Public Relations
One of the highlights of the event was an artistic performance featuring the Nandak Ganjen dance and a ballet performance combined with traditional batik-themed dance elements. The performance was presented by Padmanagara, a Student Activity Unit of the Faculty of Psychology Universitas Tarumanagara. In addition, a batik-making demonstration of Batik Gobang was also showcased by Universitas Tarumanagara students. (VC/YS)