Latest revision as of 15:33, 16 January 2022

[edit] Truck art

The allure of truck art

By Nauman Younis Lodhi

Dawn

Truck art

Truck art

Truck art

Truck art

Truck art

Truck art

In almost every part of our country heavy vehicles like truck, buses, coaches, etc. are used in large numbers for loading and transportation activities. One significant feature of these vehicles is their display of arts, on their bodies, be it in the shape of colourful paintings or emotional poetry. This artistic effort is unfortunately ridiculed by most of us ignoring the message hidden in these vivid depictions and the simply expressed pieces of poetry. We have also never considered the importance of truck art and its contemplation for some useful purposes.

One noteworthy aspect of truck art is that it is not just confined to trucks and buses but it has also proliferated into other means of transportation used in our daily live e.g. rickshaws and wagons.

A truck moving both on the highways hilly areas and in cities, its sides painted with bright colours having queer pictures and simple pieces of poetry on them always have something to tell us about the life of a truck artist and the drivers of these giant vehicles. A picture of a dream woman showing a desire of love; condemnation of the lover’s disloyalty through disconsolate poetry, lions and horses as symbol of power or a scene of nature displaying tranquillity — these are all simple but true emotions of life eloquently presented in these dashing means of transport and deserve to be commended.

Truck art has another message for us too. It presents a thought that art and the respect for art is an embedded characteristic in man. Only courage and hard work refine this quality out of one’s hidden abilities. Sometimes dreams and desires compel one to speak in the language of art. Nevertheless the respect for art shown by the artists who decorate these trucks must not be looked at contemptuously.

Traditional vehicles like these with pictures and poetry embossed on their bodies have an individual beauteous look. Their course at circular roads on lofty mountains exercises a charming effect on one’s eyes. Also their presence on city roads differentiates them starkly from ordinary vehicles. On their route to villages they move with pride when overtaking bull-carts.

The uniqueness of truck art can be used to capture the attention of tourists by making the vehicles more beautiful. The fascinating work by local painters could really allure the tourists to have a ride on their rickshaws, taxies and buses. Besides making the exterior look attractive it is necessary that the interior condition should be made perfect. It must ensure comfortable ride. The combination of stunning exteriors and comfy interiors would be a sure -shot tourist catch. Only little attention is needed to make truck art an idiosyncratic glorious feature of local transport.

Decorating their vehicles has become a cultural practice for drivers in Pakistan. It not only is significant for drivers but it also casts an influence on others. The mushroom growth in this trend is not only restricted to the drivers but is also adopted by youngsters who put pictures and comments on their fancy cars. This implies that such art has a social impact on people.

This impact might prove to be very successful to raise awareness among people about various important issues. Its quality to address people, especially the illiterate ones, in a simplistic manner is not less than a thing to serve as a potential media.

One of the ways to bring a change in people’s thoughts is to time and again address the change to be brought. Issues like population control, health and cleanliness could be impressively conveyed to people both in rural and urban areas through these paintings.

Considering the peculiarity of truck-art and its possible use for educating people, considerable attention must be paid by the government bodies to encourage the driver community. The local painters may be awarded through competitions for best work. It is also useful to reward them for rousing awareness through the government advised picture messages.

Whether or not, although it may be contested, this art in Pakistan has earned a cultural significance. It is a routine sight. Whether we like it or not, we should not be at least scornful towards it. This effort needs to be respected by us. It, however, is better than the vulgar comments put on their cars by the so-called educated youngsters. It is not uncommon to see offensive comments on the cars moving on our city streets. These poetic verses, few comments to spread some social message and sometimes the wishes are in any case better than meaningless comments placed by the youth of today on their cars.