By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Dec 7 — A kebaya dress made from the Royal Pahang tenun (woven) fabric was chosen by the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin for Her Highness’ attire.
Her Highness donned the dress during the 75th birthday of the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, on November 27.
The fabric was gifted by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, and was designed by Datuk Radzuan Radziwill.
“This fabric has been carefully plated in gold with the ‘bunga tanjong pecah sembilan’ motif, symbolising the nine districts in Selangor.
“For the record, the traditional art of decorating the ‘telepuk’ cloth is believed to have been first introduced by Bugis traders from Sulawesi,” according to a statement on the Selangor Royal Office’s Facebook page.
The traditional art of decorating the ‘telepuk’ cloth involves a stamping process using carving stamps on ‘bergam’ wood on the ‘kain tenun benang halus’ cloth, before being affixed with gold paper or gold and silver powder.
“The art of ‘telepuk’ with gold ornaments is owned and preserved by the palace, with its use reserved for the royal family and the aristocracy in China, India, Japan and Indonesia,” the statement added.
The statement added that the Malay Customs and Heritage Body (Padat)is actively developing the art of ‘telepuk’ to be passed onto future generations, so as to preserve the heritage of traditional crafts.
