By XAVIER SMERDON
A UNIQUE art form that requires a steady hand, a lot of patience and a great imagination is being brought to life in Hoppers Crossing.
Mariya Imran moved to Australia from Pakistan three and-a-half years ago.
On her journey to her new home she brought a rare skill from her old one, the art of henna.
Ms Imran uses a special paste to create original drawings on the hands, arms, feet and legs of her customers.
More amazing than the detailed drawings she creates is the speed in which she creates them.
Ms Imran said she learned the basics of the art of henna at an institute in Pakistan before practising for countless hours to perfect her own style.
“When I moved here I didn’t find many people doing henna so I just wanted to continue some of the traditions from home,” Ms Imran said.
Ms Imran said Indian women traditionally have their hands and feet covered by henna to celebrate Karwa Chauth, while women in Pakistan use it to celebrate Eid, the end of Ramadan.
She said it also used to celebrate weddings.
“Here in Australia it is seen as a temporary tattoo but we don’t see it as that,” she said.
“We have a lot of myths back home like if you have a really dark henna on your wedding day your husband will love you for your whole life.”
Ms Imran said had always been very artistic and henna was a way for her to practice her skills.
“Even back at school whenever we were given a drawing assignment I used to finish mine first and then help my friends finish theirs,” she said.
