Empowering Desa Sejahtera Astra Through Culture: The Collaboration of Astra and Anjani in Bumiaji

BATU CITY, EAST JAVA: In a village nestled at the foot of Mount Pucung, mornings begin with open windows, apple-scented dew, and the distant rhythm of the jidor drum. In the peaceful Desa Sejahtera Astra Bumiaji, a hand moves across white cloth—not merely drawing batik patterns, but reviving heritage.

Her name is Anjani Sekar Arum. She practices batik not just as an art form, but as a way to mobilize her village. Alongside children, she opens new paths—introducing culture, touching education, and igniting hope.

A graduate of Art and Design from the State University of Malang, Anjani began her journey in 2014 by showcasing her batik creations at Galeri Raos Batu, which attracted visitors from the Czech Embassy. A year later, her batik fabrics reached international audiences. But her most meaningful story began when she returned home—teaching children to make batik, not to turn them into artisans, but to help them connect with their culture through their own hands.

In recognition of her efforts, she received the SATU Indonesia Award from Astra in 2017. From this, the Omah Pembatik Cilik was born—a cultural learning space now hosting over 80 students from eight schools in Bumiaji. Here, children learn to draw with canting, choose colors, and tell stories through the batik they create.

Through the Desa Sejahtera Astra program, Astra supports the ongoing initiatives in Bumiaji—not by taking over, but by offering additional space through business training, assistance, and promotional support so that local initiatives can grow with confidence. Some local entrepreneurs (MSMEs) began learning how to package products, share their stories, and reach new customers. Not everything changed overnight, but the progress made their steps feel firmer.

Since then, collaboration with Astra has flourished. Through the program, Bumiaji residents received training, assistance, and business promotion. MSMEs began learning to package their products and tell the stories behind them—such as during the Astra Photo Competition and Astra Journalism Award 2025 Roadshow event. Over 100 participants, including journalists, community members, and citizen reporters, came not just to learn photography, but to hear the stories behind the fabrics and coffee.

When visitors come to see batik, they also taste rujak jambu, buy apple pies, and take home kopi tubruk. MSMEs are thriving. Mr. Soleh runs CV Permata Agro Mandiri, transforming apples into pies and pia. He now employs 25 people and earns around Rp150 million per month. Other products have emerged—orange juice, chips, dodol. Items once discarded now have a place on souvenir tables.

Bantengan Bocil and the Laughter That Never Fades

Anjani also initiated a children’s version of the traditional bantengan performance—called bantengan bocil. No incense. No mysticism. Just martial arts, batik headbands, and children learning to perform.

“Through this, they move. They perform. And they have a reason to be proud of their culture. Success isn’t always about numbers—sometimes it comes in small awakenings. When foreign tourists stay in villagers’ homes, the kids start learning English. Not because they’re told to, but because they feel the need. That’s a sign they’re beginning to see the potential of their own village,” Anjani said.

Anjani’s story isn’t loud—but it resonates. She doesn’t sell thousands of products. She creates space for children to learn, for villagers to participate, and for culture to grow in the hands of those who’ve known it since childhood.

Astra’s spirit of collaboration with communities, as reflected in Anjani’s journey and Batik Bantengan, aligns with Astra’s mission to prosper with the nation while supporting Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

For further information, please contact:

Windy Riswantyo
Head of Corporate Communications
PT Astra International Tbk
Telp. 021-508-43-888

 

About Astra

Astra is one of Indonesia’s largest public companies, comprising 301 subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associate companies, supported by more than 190,000 employees. The company’s diversified business model creates synergies and opportunities across industry sectors including automotive & mobility, financial services, heavy equipment, mining construction & energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, information technology, and property. The company has a new sustainability framework which includes Astra’s 2030 Sustainability Aspirations. It will guide Astra in the transition journey to be a more sustainable business by 2030 and beyond. Astra wishes to contribute to the strength and resilience of the Indonesian economy while supporting an inclusive and prosperous society.

Astra has a strong record of public and social contributions through four pillars, which consist of health, education, environment, and entrepreneurship as well as nine foundations to contribute to the growth of the Indonesian economy while encouraging a more inclusive and prosperous society. Established in 2010, Astra’s Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk (SATU) Indonesia Awards program, has recognised the contribution of 726 young Indonesians at the national and provincial level across the nation. The SATU Indonesia Awards program is integrated with Astra’s wide range of community activities through more than 1,500 Desa Sejahtera Astra and Kampung Berseri Astra in 35 provinces throughout Indonesia.

For more about Astra, visit astra.co.id, and follow us on Instagram @satu_indonesia, TikTok @satu_indonesia, YouTube SATU Indonesia, X (Twitter) @satu_indonesia, LinkedIn PT Astra International Tbk, and Facebook Semangat Astra Terpadu.