Truck art in South Asia

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.
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.
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.
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. Religious iconography, poetry and political logos are also common.
Truck art showcases a wide variety of symbols, from religious (mostly Islamic) motifs, poetic calligraphy and folklore to political messages and regional identity. These traditional symbols evolve as artisans apply their decorative techniques with modern mediums. Themes in the art draw heavily from indigenous artistic traditions while working in modern pop cultural and political elements. The result is a layered dialogue between heritage and modernity.
Truck art has been called a "big business" in Pakistan, with around 250,000 people employed in the major centers as of 2014; 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. 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.
In Pakistan, Karachi is a major city centre for truck art, though there are other hubs in Rawalpindi, Swat, Peshawar, Quetta and Lahore. The Karachi style has been called "disco art", with flashing bulbs, glass and mirrors. 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 Sindh, truck art is not exclusive to trucks only, but it is also used in local rickshaws, vans, wagons, bikes, busses, etc.
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.
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.
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.
Truck art has extended beyond the decoration and ornamentation of trucks into other forms and media.
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.
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.
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.
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.
South Asian truck art has expanded beyond vehicles into many modern mediums. Many artists use high-resolution digital graphics and vinyl stickers to replicate traditional designs. In India, truck art has evolved into a digital style, mixing traditional motifs with computer-generated imagery. Online platforms and social media have helped globalize the art form, allowing artists to reach wider audiences and collaborate with brands.
The art form has been used in large-scale urban murals like Doha’s JedariArt. Artists such as Haider Ali have also decorated non-traditional surfaces, including shipping containers and aircraft. This range of mediums reflects truck art’s evolving role as both a commercial product and a cultural export.