kain panjang 0861Unit Pengelola Museum Seni
A practical but beautiful invention during war times
Pagi Sore batik literally translates as Morning Afternoon batik. This batik style has two different motifs which meets diagonally in the middle. This style came to be due scarcity of cotton supply during a war.
During Indonesian war with Japanese in 1940s, batik industry faces scarce supply due to disruptions in trade route. The batik craftsman came to create a batik still beautiful for multiple use.
The invention was to divide the cloth into two sides, decorating the sides with different patterns and motifs.
The two motifs would be in stark different color. Lighter and darker color. Lighter side for morning use to wrap around one's waist and show in the front side, and darker would be for afternoon use.
Luckily the war did not last very long, and supply for batik production resumes to normal, but Pagi Sore batik style stays and became a favorite to many.