Batik, but make it city

Wan Nor Alia Wan Ali | 23 Jun 2025

Nur Danisya, Dania and Siti Hajar showing their artwork based on the three main techniques taught at Ainna's Artwork. – Photos: Wan Nor Alia Wan Ali

THINK batik is only for formal events or East Coast holidays? Think again. Right in the heart of KL, this centuries-old craft is getting a fresh spin – and it’s more accessible (and Instagrammable) than ever. Whether you're a a creative soul looking to unwind or just killing time before your latte kicks in while wandering the city, batik colouring is the unexpected heritage hangout you didn’t know you needed. From tucked-away studios in Central Market to hands-on sessions in canting havens like Jadi Batek and Kompleks Kraf, KL is buzzing with spots where tradition meets personal expression.

And yes – you can get your hands messy without leaving the city (or needing a beach backdrop). Let’s dive into the colourful world of modern batik in KL, one brushstroke at a time.

Ainna Artwork

Located right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, Ainna Artwork offers a hands-on batik colouring experience at Central Market. From the main entrance, a short walk straight through to the back entrance leads directly to the shop and workshop, conveniently nestled opposite the rear doors. Even on a regular weekday (Wednesday) at 11.30am when this writer visited, the space was already lively, with visitors fully immersed in their batik pieces. The scene was made even more inviting by the vibrant paintings and colours adorning the walls, along with the warm welcome from the friendly staff.

Left: Customers colouring with batik artworks in the background.

Right: Friendly shop assistants who will lend a helping hand.

"Although we don't have a canting (pronounced “chunting” and referring to the application of hot wax onto fabric) area here, we offer the service for special events," explained Nor Syuhada (Hada), a shop assistant who has worked there for three years. We chatted briefly before starting the activity. Hada, who has a background in finance, chose art as her current career because she was drawn to our shared heritage. She believes art brings her inner peace.

The shop has been operating since 2011, initially focusing on canting and selling its own artworks. After the pandemic in 2020, it revived its business with activities like batik colouring to attract more visitors.

"Due to our strategic location, many customers who walk by while shopping at Central Market stop here. While waiting for their shopping, there's an activity for children to enjoy. From as young as two years old to all ages, everyone is welcome to colour here,” Hada said.

Ranging from RM15-RM30, you can choose your preferred fabric size. Here, all batik outlines are hand-drawn with various patterns. Since I also wanted to spend time walking around Central Market, I chose the smallest batik frame as it was easier, quicker and could be stored in my bag once finished.

Naim, another shop assistant, then explained the equipment we would be using and the three main principles of batik colouring, which were easy to understand: direct colour, gradient, and mixed colours.

Once the brief explanation was over, my colouring assignment began. If you want colours other than the primary ones, don't worry; they have colour references for you to experiment with. If you don't succeed? Don't fret; just call a shop assistant, and they'll be ready to help.

Sea creatures were the writer's choice for batik colouring.

Activities like batik colouring offer a calming escape—perfect for unwinding on weekends or during a quiet break. Whether done solo as a way to de-stress or recharge, the experience can be incredibly therapeutic. Still, there's something extra enjoyable about sharing the moment. That day, Hada joined in, and we coloured side by side, chatting as the colours came to life on fabric.

I also got the chance to chat with SPM school leavers Nur Danisya, Dania and Siti Hajar. “We really wanted to spend time together, and each of us loves art, so we decided to try batik and came straight here. Even though we're not very skilled, it was really fun. We learned unique and easy techniques,” Hajar shared.
If you'd like to try it, the shop is open daily from 10.30am to 7pm daily. For more information, you can also follow Aina Artwork on it on its social media.

Bear It

Cynthia Chuah inside her shop, Bear It.

Not satisfied with just one place, there's also Bear It, run by Cynthia Chuah, 29, a shop that offers various art activities in Central Market and has only been operating for a year. "Actually, I love spending time with children, and I love making beautiful things, so that's where the idea for opening this shop came from," Chuah said.

Chuah added: "To maintain product consistency, we provide printed batik for all customers, but we also released a wau-shaped batik during the recent Hari Raya season, and this product has continued until today due to overwhelming demand."

Bear It is open daily from 10am to 10pm. For more information, you can contact it directly.

If you're looking to explore more batik experiences around Kuala Lumpur, there are several other spots worth visiting.

Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur

Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, located on Jalan Conlay, is a charming craft complex housed in a kampung-style building. Open daily, it offers a variety of art activities suitable for all ages, making it an ideal place to unwind and get creative.

Jadi Batek

Another must-visit is Jadi Batek on Jalan Imbi – one of the largest batik centres in the city. Here, visitors can not only shop for beautifully crafted batik fabric, but also try their hand at traditional canting and colouring. Whether it's frames, bags, T-shirts, scarves, or sarongs, there’s something for everyone to paint and personalise. For opening hours and activity details, check out the respective websites or drop by in person.

Batik isn’t just that flowing kain our parents used to wear. These days, it’s everywhere – stitched into modern outfits, turned into stylish accessories, even framed as art. It’s become something people are proud to wear and create, not just for special occasions but as an everyday expression of identity. By reconnecting with traditions like these, we’re not only keeping them alive – we’re making sure they grow with us, carried proudly into the future.

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