MELBOURNE, 17 November 2022: Today I went to the Dandenong Plaza to cover the Victorian election’s Early Voting and took the routine photos of candidates from different political parties. They were all behind a barrier and coverage was easy. A friend who was one of the campaigners handing out flyers joined me and we decided to have a cup of tea at an Afghan outlet. Before that, he took me to the first floor of the Plaza, and on the left was a rather surprising business ‘Images’ giving a flavor of India, which you get normally at the state emporiums at the Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi.
Little did I know ‘Images’ is a gold mine of handicrafts and exclusive ethnic garment products from different parts of India. The ambiance was mesmerizing as the light exotic fragrance of incense sticks made me nostalgic. The beautiful- colorful business is run by a couple Sachin Jain and Neera Jain (who migrated from Delhi) with great care and love. They welcomed me and eagerly talked about themselves and the products they sold.
You name and it is there. The handmade and other products are laced with typical Indian-style designs and you cannot but like them. They proudly say this is also India. Neera Jain says, “We have about 100 varieties of incense sticks varieties” and takes me around the shop with a mind-boggling variety of Indian handicrafts. “This is not the ordinary stuff, in fact, up-market and top quality.”, she said.
So, what I saw included, statues, Rajasthani figures, incense stands, chess sets, decorative toys, god statues, chimes, candle stands, rugs, artificial flowers, yoga pose statues, chest boxes, bedspreads, short kurtas, vests, women’s clothing, quilts, cushions, brass products, furniture, Necklaces, Scarfs, decoration pieces and much more. As I took photographs and appreciated my visit to this wonderful Indian handicrafts den, the humble Jain couple running it, smiled with nostalgic confidence. They told me the makers of the movie ‘UnIndian’, a 2015 Australian crossover movie makers had bought lots of stuff from ‘Images’.
No doubt, my media assignment became something much more after visiting Images at the Dandenong Plaza. Another visit is likely soon!
You can shop in-store, or online through imageshandicrafts.com.au. Images is also on Facebook and Instagram. The address is – Images Handicrafts Level 2, Dandenong Plaza, Dandenong, 3175; Phone – 03 97057506; Mobile – 0401 007 289 and email – sales@imageshandicrafts.com.au
