For the Javanese, batik is more than just shirts and sarong. It is a magic cloth. The patterns and motifs express their various local identities; they are statements of Javanese life and philosophy. This book, while examining the role of batik in the social and cultural context of modern Indonesia and Singapore, exposes the reader to the various styles of batik prevalent today in modern society. It also provides an accurate documentation of Indonesian batik craftsmen, and pays tribute to their technical skills and creativity.