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Truck Art is an ageold tradition in
Pakistan.
Each province in Pakistan has its
own distinct style of truck painting
(Photo:
Affan Haseeb & Saffan Haseeb) |
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New Delhi:
Lanterns, mugs, cups, kettles and jugs painted in colourful floral
patterns are just a few examples of Pakistan’s well-known Truck Art
tradition that have been brought here by an NGO from the country
that is participating in the ongoing annual Dastkari Haat Samiti
festival.
Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, an NGO that promotes education among
children, is showcasing the traditional craft of painting on trucks
- by transfering the images on items of everyday use - during the
festival at the Dilli Haat that will continue till Jan 7.
“The
items we have brought here have been painted by children to whom we
provide education. They have been very much liked by the people here
and most of our stuff has already been sold. We were not expecting
this response, it has exceeded our expectations,”
Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi coordinator Kiran Khan told IANS.
“Pakistani Truck Art is about cultural history and tradition,
storytelling and passion and has elements of political and national
life, religious symbols and images. It is very popular back home and
the reason for bringing this art here is to introduce the concept to
the Indian people,” she added.
Truck Art is an ingenious Pakistani tradition that started way back
in the early 1920s when, to beat competition, transportation
companies hired craftsmen to adorn their trucks with artworks in the
hope that these moving canvases would attract more custom.
The
craftsmen would adorn trucks with colourful floral patterns,
calligraphy of poetic verses and “driver’s words of wisdom”, as also
images of popular politicians and actors, a tradition that continues
till this day.
According to Khan, each area of Pakistan has different Truck Art
sensibilities and unique story-telling abilities.
“Each province in Pakistan has its own distinct style of truck
painting. While Sindh is famous for its camelbone work, the artists
of Rawalpindi and Islamabad prefer to work with plastic. Be it the
materials or the colours used, the overall image that is depicted
represents our cultural history and heritage,” Khan said.
The
lanterns at the NGO’s stall are priced at Rs.800 and the kettles at
upwards of Rs.250, while the cups and mugs are priced at Rs.100 to
Rs.250.
Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja, who, along with his wife,
shopped for these items, was totally impressed with this art form.
“They are so colourful and vibrant that they easily catch your
attention. We have purchased lanterns and mugs. We wanted a bigger
kettle, but it was already sold out so we had to settle for a
smaller one,” Jadeja told IANS.
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