TRUCK ART OF PAKISTAN – EXPRESSION OF LOCAL CULTURE

Hajra Rao + Maham Javed

Media Studies, Bahria University Islamabad

Pakistan truck art is known as phool patti and dubbed “jingle trucks “ only recently by US soldiers in the region – started in the 1920s with that were imported from great Britain , when what is now modern Pakistan has been under British rule for more the 60 years. The trucks soon became renewed, attaining popular for their reliability, durability and power. Truck art is a form of art seen in the south Asian culture of Pakistan presenting vibrant and exuberant over the top designs that are colorful and shout out to intricate cravings on the body of the trucks.

These include calligraphy and floral designs, with meaningful messages to evoke social cause. Each is different and elaborately decorated with no trucks alike “ when a truck is decorated , we consider it to be like a bride and decorate it and take care of it” quoted by Muhammad Ejaz Mughal a long time truck artist.

For artist like him truck art is just not considered as a vehicle painted but for them it holds a great significance in Pakistani culture.in 1940s , the push of Indians independence from Great Britain and the movement for a postcolonial partition into two states increased , truck art continued to popularize along with the increasingly industrialized economics.

“Transportation has always been a form of power and of superstition here”

In old days, other ways of getting around, from camel to river boats were decorated. So the tradition was already there. Soon drivers began investing in their truck art, from local, rough rural delivery drivers to long haul truckers.

“I wanted to give kids an understanding of this culture that would focus on a whole different aspect of this predominantly Muslim country.”
—Kate Warren

Truck art is a powerful medium of expression and communication trucks are repainted and reconditioned every few years. The most significant use of truck art has been bringing missing children home. Another most interesting fact about them is that there are more than 200,000 registered trucks on the road.

Not just missing children but also a great mean of transportation of goods bricks, wheat, fruit, cotton etc. Truck art holds a great influence on popular culture in the country as it supplies a canvas for phrases to be displayed as it gives more awareness and grabs attention of people’s eye. It’s a new way of providing people information and making it more innovative.

The catchy phrases. Designs and colorful art enhance it more as well as truck art also empowers women’s rights as it supplies a fascinating medium of awareness about social issues. Messages are relayed on the perspective of people how they take it.

Truck art is one a way that conveys every kind of message in an impactful manner and highlights issues. Either used for loading unloading or any other specific purpose people are amazed to see the detailed artwork on the walls of the trucks which gives another perspective and imagination of the artist.