KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM150,000 is up for grabs in the Piala Seri Endon 2008 batik design competition. Each of the competition’s three categories – fashion, soft furnishing and handicraft, offers a first prize of RM30,000, second prize of RM10,000, third prize of RM5,000, and five consolation prizes of RM1,000.
Yayasan Budi Penyayang chief executive officer Datuk Leela Mohd Ali said the competition provides an opportunity for talented Malaysians to produce better quality batik in terms of research, technique and commercial viability.
“Batik is now given centre stage when Malaysian fashion is discussed. We need to nurture it if we want to celebrate batik as a Malaysian craft,” she said at the launch of the Piala Seri Endon yesterday.
She added that the improving quality of entries had impacted the development of dyes, designs and engineering of designs.
“There has been an increase in participation from academic and professional fields that are serious about the craft, garnering a record of 87 contestants last year.
“Nonetheless, batik enthusiasts, vendors and fashion designers who are not professionally trained but have experience and quality in their artistry, are encouraged to participate,” Leela said.
She also urged institutions of higher education to encourage students to take part.
Organised by Penyayang and co-sponsored by The Star, Royal Selangor and Malaysian Hairdressing Association, the annual competition is part of the Malaysia Batik – Crafted for the World movement initiated by Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood.
The competition, currently in its sixth year, is open to all Malaysian citizens of 18 years of age and above as individuals or in teams of up to four members.
Registration closes on July 25. Forms can be obtained from the Penyayang office or from their website www.penyayang.org.my. (source from Thestar.com)







