The truck art of South Asia is powerful!
culturally significant trucks
A truck that is bright, beautiful, and has chains hanging down like layered jewelry. If you’re not from the south asia you may have never seen such a truck. But that’s what makes it special, its cultural significance.
In places like Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan you will see these loaded trucks on the roads. They were called ‘jingle trucks’ by American military in Afghanistan (because of the sound of its chains), though I think they’d rather be nicknamed ‘majestic trucks’.
What does designing and ornating trucks symbolize for the truck owners or in general for the people?
If we try to elaborate on the intricate design, sophisticated wood framing, tassel hanging, and dangling chains of such trucks then there would be too much to cover,
but let me begin by highlighting key designs that they all incorporate in painting the truck, these include birds, florals, falcons, village houses, heart shapes, tigers and peacocks. Everything heavily inspired from nature. I commonly see eyes painted on them too. Not to exclude there is always poetry written, particularly of Iqbals or other traditional romantic poets.
In fact these trucks are like open art galleries, these traveling mughal-esque canvases depict Pakistani culture, folklore, poetry and important movements.
For example Trucks in 2018/19 were painted to portray the importance of girls education in the Kohistan district, which made evident impact on locals and more girls enrolled in schools. Similarly portraits of missing children were painted on the back of trucks and remarkably some children were found. powerful isn’t it?
These trucks are badges of competition for their drivers, Durriya Kazi, an expert in truck art said.
It’s noted that “ the more flamboyant the design, the better business became.” Essentially every truck owner gets what he likes from a painter and so each truck is unique in its design and story.
It’s also a matter of pride and deep emotion. Gul khan, a truck driver explain his feelings,
For me, my truck is more than a home. I take care of it, keep it decorated like a bride. People like me who have to stay at work can’t go back to our homes in rural sites. So, we spend most of our time with our vehicles, which binds us together. In a way, it helps us to overcome our loneliness.”
Through his words we get a taste of what’s it actually like driving these much admired and glorified trucks.
For a deep dive in the impact and everything surrounding truck art, read
Aamina Suleman Khan’s article called Truck art – made in Pakistan.
Furthermore it’s not just the trading trucks that are usually decorated, it’s actually common for public transport buses and rickshas (tuk-tuk) to be draped in bright colors too. On the backs of these vehicles, a line of sad/ romantic poetry, a prayer or even satire on the government is displayed. Sometimes just a cryptic word like ‘broken pearl’ is written. It’s all part of the culture.
Since Truck art has influence globally, there are many products out there inspired from this, brands like Dolce and Gabanna used Pakistani truck art in their beauty campaign.
There is much written about the history of it too, for instance well known Hajji Hussain one of the first truck artists who settled in Karachi after independence of Pakistan, and made Karachi the hub of truck art business that it is today. Other recent artists like Haider Ali is recognized internationally for his truck art caft.
