Truck art in South Asia

A typical decorated truck in Pakistan; most Pakistani trucks have an augmented rooftop to increase space for decoration

Front and rear view of two trucks in India, showing detail of various decorative symbols used in Indian truck art

Truck art in South Asia is a popular form of regional decoration, with trucks featuring elaborate floral patterns and calligraphy. It is especially common in Pakistan and India.

During the War in Afghanistan, Pakistani decorated trucks that ran services between Pakistan and Afghanistan came to be known as jingle trucks by American troops and contractors who were deployed across the latter country.

History and origin

The concept of decorating transportation and vehicles goes back to Indus valley civilization era, where people used different items for decorations on transportation, in Sindh the art of transportation decoration is very ancient, back in time the wooden traditional Sindhi boats were beautifully carved with amazing designs and patterns, small mirrors were applied on it, the ivory inlaid, metal bells, Ghungroo, Phundra, beads, shells, colors and metal plates with dotted designs were used on boats and carts. The domestic animals used for different carts are also adorned with different jewelries which are specially made for these animals, Sindhis are very fond of decorating their domestic animals and spend a lot of money for it, such jewelries are usually made of different metals but Silver and gold is also used. Another art of transportation decoration is camel hair cut, the camels were common in allover Sindh, the locals cut the hair on its skin in different floral designs and geometric patterns, and apply henna and black color.

Traditional Sindhi handmade wooden boats with carvings and Ivory or elephant tooth designs and mirrors, made and used by Mohana

Close look on the carvings and mirrorwork on the Sindhi boats.

Woodcarving, metal petals with dotted design and mirrors on Sindhi boats.

In early 20th century during British Raj the modern transportation like trucks were introduced in Sindh, in Karachi "General motors" first introduced trucks in 1930s, the locals started decorating these trucks, after partition Karachi became the biggest city and was hub of truck art.

The concept of truck art itself generally goes back to the 1920s during British rule over South Asia. However, it wasn't until the 1950s in Karachi that it began to become widespread, by artist Hajji Hussain.

The term "jingle truck" is military slang that was coined by American troops serving in Afghanistan, although it may also date back to the British colonial period. The term came to be because of the jingling sound that the trucks make due to the chains and pendants hanging from the bumpers of the vehicles.

Practice

Truck being painted in Kochi, India

Many trucks and buses are highly customized and decorated by their owners. External truck decoration can cost thousands of dollars. The decoration often contains elements that remind the truck drivers of home, since they may be away from home for months at a time. The art is a mode of expression for the truck drivers. Decoration may include structural changes, paintings, calligraphy and ornamental-decor like mirror work on the front and back of vehicles and wooden carvings on the truck doors. Depictions of various historical scenes and poetic verses are also common. Outfitting is often completed at a coach workshop. Chains and pendants often dangle off the front bumper. In India, motifs depicting eagles, kites, cow nuzzling calf and nazar battu, and catchphrases like "Horn OK Please", "Blow Horn" and "Use Dipper at Night" are frequently seen. Religious iconography, poetry and political logos are also common.

Artists

One of the most prominent truck artists is Haider Ali. Trained by his father from his youth, he first came to international attention in 2002 when he painted a Pakistani truck as part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Nafees Ahmad Khan, a truck art artist in Indore, is well known throughout India and has been designing one truck every day for over thirty-two years. Mr. Syed Phool Badshah, also known as Phool ji, is a well known truck artist who is best known for his unique style of doing Fine Arts with Truck art.

Regional styles

A tanker truck in Bhutan with Tibetan buddhist symbols like the snow lion used for decoration

In Pakistan, Karachi is a major city centre for truck art, though there are other hubs in Rawalpindi, Swat, Peshawar, Quetta and Lahore. Trucks from Balochistan and Peshawar are often heavily trimmed with wood, while trucks from Rawalpindi and Islamabad often feature plastic work. Camel bone ornamentation and predominance of red colours is commonly seen on trucks decorated in Sindh.

In India, the Delhi-based artist Tilak Raj Dhir states that the slogans he adds to his truck art, which is prevalent throughout the National Capital Region, often change with the socio-political atmosphere. The state of Punjab is considered a major centre of truck art in India, with a distinctive style and expert artists. Poetry is commonly seen in truck art across northern India, and particularly in Uttar Pradesh. Truck art in Hindi and Urdu is sometimes called Phool Patti.

Influence

Truck art decorates the façade of a business in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Truck art has extended beyond the decoration and ornamentation of trucks into other forms and media.

Cars

Though cars are not traditionally decorated in South Asia, there are examples of cars embellished in a truck art style. In 2009, The Foxy Shahzadi, a 1974 VW Beetle decorated in a truck art style, travelled from Pakistan to France in a 25-day journey. In the Indian city of Mumbai, some drivers decorate their taxis in a truck art style.

Buses

The buses in Asia are colorful wonders to behold. They are decorated with fancy paintings that blend spiritual images with nature motifs. In Pakistan, these ornate buses and trucks feature beloved folk art. The so-called "jingle trucks" of Pakistan showcase this art tradition all over the country. Each vehicle displays complex designs and patterns, made by talented local artisans.

Fashion

The lively colours of Pakistani trucks have inspired some fashion designers. The Italian fashion company Dolce & Gabbana used truck art-inspired displays in a 2015 campaign. Although used more often on women's fashion, some men's clothing have been inspired by South Asian truck art. Apart from clothing, truck art has also been incorporated into shoes by some.

Print Design

Farid Bawa, an Indian graphic designer, collaborates with Indian truck artists to make and sell prints of truck art online in a bid to preserve the tradition of truck art.

Gallery

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  Decorations can be highly detailed.
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  All parts of the truck are highly embellished.
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  Wood-paneling is often carved in high detail.
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  The phrase "Horn Please" is used extensively in Indian truck art.
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  The backs of Pakistani trucks are often intricately decorated.
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  Decorated trucks can be found in even the most remote corners of Pakistan.
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  Decorated trucks stuck in a traffic jam at the remote Rohtang pass in Himachal Pradesh.
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  Truck art in Nepal often contains modern symbols alongside traditional ones.
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  Two decorated trucks on Pakistan's N-5 National Highway.
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  Decorated truck in Afghanistan.
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  Decorated truck at a beach in Mumbai.
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  Driver washing decorated truck near Bangalore.
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  A decorated truck in the wood-paneled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa style.
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  A decorated garbage truck in Kolkata, India.
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  Decorated Indian fuel trucks in Ladakh
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  Jingle truck in Delaram, Afghanistan.
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  In Sikkim
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  Many local buses in Pakistan are decorated with truck art.
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  A public transport bus in El Gouna, Egypt customised and highly decorated in Pakistani style
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  A Pakistani-decorated bus on Euston Road, London.
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  The Karachi to Melbourne Tram, decorated by Pakistani truck artists, during the 2006 Commonwealth Games

See also

• Karachi to Melbourne Tram
• Dekotora
• Tap tap

External links

• Pictures of decorated Pakistani trucks
• In Pictures: The Colourful and Magnificent Truck Art of India by Tanaya Singh
• Horn Please (Documentary)
• Flickr photos
• More Flickr photos
• US Military blog, nice photos
• CNN site