a collection of batik sarongs from Malaysia

wan azhar

Seberang Takir
Kuala Terengganu

and
No. 29, 2nd floor
Central Market
Kuala Terengganu

Map

This is one of the original batik factories in Terengganu and one of the easiest to find: take the ferry from the central market to Seberang Takir, directly across the river. At the landing, follow the footpath to the street, turn right, and walk until you see the sign. The dye-work is done in a building across the road. There is a small shop in the pink house which also sells fishing supplies.

A bigger selection can be had at their stall upstairs in the central market (at the end of the bldg nearest the mosque).

Wan Azhar is the most consistent batiker I know. At last count, I had 48 of his sarongs.

Sadly, when I arrived in April 2007, I learned that Wan Azhar had passed away. His son pledges to continue the family business for the third generation. In addition, several large-scale construction projects have changed the Terengganu landscape in the past two years. One of them, a proposed resort hotel and bridge, (both utterly superfluous) threaten the village of Seberang Takir.

Visiting in 2008, I found the factory thriving under the management of Wan Moh'd Hassanol, otherwise known as Adik (younger brother). The shed where Pok Meri has worked for at least as long as I've been coming to KT, has been rebuilt. Everyone was busy with large orders from Penang and Langkawi (unfortunately in garish "tourist" colors of teal and peach; Wan Azhar was noted for its subtle palette). The luxury hotel and the bridge have not been built... yet... but the neighborhood has suffered a massive infill and the ocean, which used to be 50 meters away, is now nearly a kilometer distant.

Wan Azhar's work is featured in "My Favorite Sarongs".