INTRODUCTION

Truck Art or Truck Decoration is very much popular in Pakistan. We can get the idea of truck
driver’s regions and their thinking. It is reflection of their views and tells about the mind set of
peoples.

Drivers belonging to different regions and backgrounds decorate their trucks in different syles.
They give a picture that reflects their culture, custom and the ground realities of the areas that
they belong to. These Trucks are decorated in different colors along with different type of Trees,
Flowers or pictures of Kings, Queens, National Heroes or some Celebrity. The paintings and
decoration on a truck tells the area from which truck comes (Usman, 2008).

Truck Decorater Khan. S (2006) says:

“Most of the Pakhtun truck drivers demand paintings of sceneries, birds like chakoor and
eagles and pictures of leaders like Ayub Khan and Imran Khan. Pictures of the film star
Saima and pictures of Benazir BhuttoSource:
Image:1. had recently
Google become
Images common among truck drivers,
however, no current political leaders were being painted”

Truck bumpers are also included in Truck Decoration. They often used to convey messages and
provide information about the group the truck belongs to. For Example, a bumper of a truck read:

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“I have the life of an unfaithful companion. The punishment of my life has been far greater
than my sins” (Fancy, 2011).

In Pakistan, many public transport vehicles that have imprinted some form of poetry mostly at
the back of their vehicles. There is presence of deep thought in some of these, while others
represent the lower segments of the society, some are about lost love and some are about the
social injustices of the society. For example (Shehenshah, 2004)

“Zalim Palat Kar Dekh Tamana Hum Bhi Rakhte Hein

Tum Agar Car Rakhti Ho To Truck Hum Bhi Rakhte Hein”

Or
“Na Kar Jhagra Musafir Se , Musafir Door Se Aaya Hai

Safar Qismat Mein Likha Hai , Hokum Door Se Aaya Hai”

(Shehenshah, 2004)

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The art of decorating trucks was now gaining popularity. An artist took 10 to 15 days for a truck
to be decorated completely while the average cost ranged between Rs 300,000 to Rs 400,000
depending on the quality of art.

HISTORY
Creative painting on buses in Pakistan began as a method to attract passengers for competing
transportation companies in the 1920′s (Mughal, 2008)

Image:3 Source: Google Images

The extraordinary tradition of decorating trucks has its roots in the days of the raj when
craftsmen made glorious horse drawn carriages for the gentry. In the 1920s the Kohistan Bus
Company asked the master craftsman Ustad Elahi Bakhsh to decorate their buses to attract
passengers (Mughal, 2008).

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Bukhsh employed a company of artists from the Chiniot (a Town of Punjab), whose friends had
worked on many great palaces like Holy Places, Place or Worship or houses of Mughal Empire
(Mughal, 2008).

Through the years the materials used have developed from wood and paint to metal, glitter,
plastic and reflective tape. Within the last few years trucks and buses have been further decorated
with full lighting systems (Mughal, 2008).

The art of decorating trucks gained popularity during the Afghanistan War when trucks were
used to propagate different messages. During the Gulf War in the 1990s, the favorite painting of
the truck drivers was a picture of Saddam Hussein. During the 1990s, Saddam’s picture was
popular among the truck drivers but then it gradually started to vanish (Fancy, 2011).

TRUCK ART OF PAKISTAN

Creative painting on buses in Pakistan began as a method to attract passengers for competing
transportation companies in the 1920′s. Decoration is now used on most privately or
commercially owned vehicles like trucks, buses, taxis, rickshaws, Tractors etc (Fancy, 2011).

The truck drivers take great pride in making their trucks look beautiful. Zawar Khan, a truck
driver said, “We feel good about driving a truck that looks pretty” (Fancy, 2011).

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Truck Driver believe that these expenses are well worth it. He says that no self-respecting
merchant would trust his goods in the bed of a shabby looking truck. Customers reason, that if a
driver can’t afford to be garish, maybe his is not a very good driver. One other reason is that the
police also look more sternly at a poorly decorated truck. If he could not make Truck colorful, he
would be stopped by the police. According to him if the truck is not in good condition, the police
will not like his truck (Fancy, 2011).

When the truck comes onto the roads, it creates competition among truck drivers as each driver
wishes to make his truck look more beautiful than the next one. However, it was natural for
people from different areas to have different priorities regarding the decoration of their trucks
(Fancy, 2011).

Regarding the art of decorating trucks, souvenir and accessories seller Habibullah says that:

“I am not highly educated but I have seen paintings of artists who are acknowledged
globally. I consider truck art to be no less than the works of the great popular painters, as
the paintings on trucks are bigger in size if nothing else” (Fancy, 2011).

PAKISTANI TRUCK AT SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM AT WASHINGTON DC

Image:4. Source: Google Images

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Americans got interested in Pakistani truck painting in the
summer of 2002 at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, when a
truck painter Mr. Ali and bodywork expert Jamil ud-Din
brought a truck from Karachi to Washington, D.C.

They decorated it right there on the National Mall and

finished their Masterpiece. Now a 1976 model of Bedford is
a part of the Washington Museum (Mughal, 2008).

Image:5. Source: google

images
AREA OF TRUCK DECORATION
Truck bodies are perfectly painted by the street artists who can be found at Truck stands all
across the country. For example, Hawkes Bay/Mauripur Road Karachi, Pir Wadhai Rawalpindi,
Badami Bagh Lahore, Sariab Road Quetta etc (Elias, 2011).

These hired artists then paint the whole truck in brightly colored patterns. Trucks decorated in
Quetta and Peshawar get lots of Wood Trimming where as those in Rawalpindi get lots of Plastic
Decoration. Karachi excels in using Reflective Tapes, also called “Chamak Patti” in local
language (Elias, 2011).

TIME DURATION
Usually a Truck Decorators take six to ten weeks from start to complete decoration. During this
time, owner of truck comes many times and if there is any further extension or decoration
needed, owner tells the decorator and made possible alteration. Unbelievably, the majority of
truck owners on a full makeover of their vehicles every three or four years (Fancy, 2011).

COST OF TRUCK DECORATION

Pakistani trucks must be one of the most recognizable features of the country. It is said that many
truck drivers, unable to marry because of lack of time or money, pour all of their money, love
and inspiration into their vehicles (Geek, 2010).

Vehicle decoration is an expensive undertaking. It costs about $5,000 to do the bodywork on a

truck, although much of the cost goes toward structural modifications to the vehicle (the per
capita income in Pakistan is $2,100, as measured by Purchasing Power Parity). Most Pakistani
trucks are not owner-operated, but belong to fleets. Fleet owners authorize the driver to take
the vehicle to a coachwork shop at company expense and have it decorated according to his own
taste (Geek, 2010).

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TYPES OF TRUCK DECORATION
There are different types of Truck Decoration according to the different body parts of the truck
and material used in Truck decoration. In the following different types of truck decoration are
mentioned.

Material used in Truck Decoration

i. Bright Colored Patterns

Trucks decorated in Lahore are mostly very bright colored decorated (Elias, 2010).

ii. Wood Trim Image:6. Source: Google

Images
Wooden decoration is used mostly in those trucks that are decorated in Quetta and Peshawar
(Elias, 2010).

iii. Plastic Decoration

The truck was decorated by using lot of plastic designing are

mostly decorated in Rawalpindi (Elias, 2010).

iv. Reflective Tapes

Reflective tapes as known as Chamak patti are mostly uses in

those trucks that’s are decorated in Karachi (Elias, 2010).

v. Camel Bone Decoration

In the rural area of Sindh, mostly trucks Source:

Image:7. are decorated
Abro at with Camel bone. That is very expensive
flickr.com
decoration as compares to others (Elias, 2010).

MAJOR PARTS OF DECORATION

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 i. Bumper Decoration

Bumpers are decorated with very attractive way along with the Number plates and sometimes a
message is written in bumpers. A Few yards of chain and a handful reflector along with the paint
(Fancy, 2011).

ii. Wheel Painting

All the wheels are painted and colored in very bright way so that they look prominent and funky
especially during the movement of Truck.

iii. Interior Decoration

Interior of truck are decorated with speakers and different types of stickers. Sometimes Fan is
installed in the interior. Seats are very comfortable so the driver feel relax.

iv. Body Paint Image:8. Source: Google

Images
Whole body of Truck is painted in multi colors by some religious views, name of owner or
painter, myth of movies etc. These paints are enamel thinned with gasoline for the purpose of
instant drying. Some bright colors are reflects at night (Fancy, 2011).

v. Rear Panels

Rear panels are decorated normally with a large single image. This
image may be some celebrity, home village, some Queen or Fairy or
may be some other favorite images (Fancy, 2011).

vi. Poetry or Public Message Image:9. Source: Google

Images
Pakistani trucks are also used as means of displaying the owner or the
Painter’s Poetic taste. It also serves as a calligraphic board as well as
a notice board for public messages (Fancy, 2011).

THE POETIC TALENT OF OWNER AND PAINTER SHOWS ON TRUCK

Poetry written on trucks is always short, just comprising one or two

couplets and may be regarded as third-rate from the point of view of
literary standards but it does convey some personal experience or
knowledge of the poet and definitely some message. Since trucks are
always on the move, people who read and get amused from this
poetry are mostly the general public with moderate education
(Mohsin, 2010).

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In the following a short sentence that was written on the truck is summarized by a Journalist of
Dawn News, Mr. Pervaiz Rahim

“ Asal sy Khata nhe,

Kam Nasal sy Wafa nhe”

“The real will never go wrong; do not expect loyalty from a low caste” (Rahim, P.2010).

Although the literal meaning of the Urdu word “nasal” is race but he it in the context of caste.
The message contained in the couplet may appeal too many but castigating someone just based
on his caste is not fair. It implies that one should not expect loyalty from a child born to low-
caste parents when he grows up and interacts with the outside world. Such are the people from
whom one cannot expect loyalty of any kind as they are not familiar with this trait. Not only that
but you will also find them untrustworthy, irresponsible and selfish. Although the basic purpose
of writing such poetry is not to under-estimate somebody but many people who living in the
society or may be some deep thinker took adverse meaning of that poetry (Rahim, 2010).

TYPES OF POETRY
In the following few types of poetry that is written on the truck.

i. Romantic or Love Poetry

Image:11. Source: Google Images

Such kind of poetry give the impact that the driver or owner of truck is a romantic person or
sometime, somewhere he might be fallen love with someone or we can say that he strongly do
believe in love. This poetry may be on Love, Doubt, Trust, Jealousy or some Wishes.

For example;

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 “Ae Musafir Kyoon Ghabrata Hai Mere Truck Mein Beth Jane Se

Khuda Bhi Naraz Hota Hai Kisi Ka Dil Dukhane Se”

Or

“Jab tak Zur lutaty raho gy, Zaar-e-dast rahy ge Dunia

Zara Hath khench kar to dekh, kitne matlab parst hai Duniya”

ii. Message or a Statement

A single line that explain the whole idea or what the next person want to say. That may be a
symbol of happiness or may be in sad way but that was just a single line that was mostly written
at the edge of truck or truck bumpers (Rumi, 2010)

Here are some statement often written back side the truck;

Tu lang ja sadi kher ay

Image:12. Source: Google
“Pass by, I can wait” (Rumi, R. 2010). Images

Zid na kar ABBASI aap bara ziddi ay

“Don’t be obstinate, Abbasi is also a nut” (Rumi, R. 2010).

Pass ker ya bardasht ker

“Either pass me or tolerate me” (Rumi, R. 2010). Image:13. Source: Google

Images
Sawari labby na labby speed ek so nabby

“Whether I have a client or not, I shall [over] speed” (Rumi, R. 2010).

Jinnay maa nu staya onny truck chalaya

“The one who was rude to mother, ends up driving a truck”

(Rumi, R. 2010).

Chal pagli sajan ke des

“Dear girl, move to your lover’s kingdom” (Rumi, R.

2010). Image:14. Source: Google
Images
Lag gai tay rozi na lagi tay roza

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“If I get work there will be work, if not then I shall be fasting” (Rumi, R. 2010).

Fasla rakhen nahi to pyar ho jayega

“If you don’t keep distance, we might fall in love” (Rumi, R. 2010).

iii. Funny Poetry

Poetry in any form is good, but one that comes with humor and adds to the spice. In Pakistan
many public transport vehicles like Trucks have imprinted some form of poetry (shairi) mostly at
the back of their vehicles (Ehsan, 2009).

That is some kind of poetry that is quite funny and interesting and the reader enjoy such kind of
poetry. These poetry may or may not have some kind of logic. Some of them are really funny.
Most of the time such poetry does not follow “RADEEF & QAFIYIA” restrictions. But these are
good pieces of versus even in literary terms (Ehsan, 2009)

For example;

Taa hadd-e-nazar jaada-e-veeran-e-adam hay

is rah main Lahore, na Pindi, na Peshawar

3496 tujhay qasam hay tum himmat na haarna

jump zindiagi main jaisy houn, hans kar guzaarna

Or

Kiyoun kharday pareshan ho aiy veer

lo aa gaiyee hay Pak Kashmir

(Ehsan. O, 2009).

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 Image:15. Source: Squidoo

iv. Over-Confident Poetry

Such kind of poetry in which the Driver shows his attitude or over confidence or he might be
give or challenge some other person or driver for race.

These type of poetry also shows that the driver feel proud on his vehicle and his vehicle is that
vehicle people like the most or most favorite vehicle of that area.

For example;

“Nakeyaan ty Police phirdee, Chookiya ty Sepahee,

Kuriyaan Poochan Mundeyaan tu, Raja de Gaddi aaj kiyu nhe aaye”

Or

“Chalti Hai Ghari Urhti Hai Dhool

Jalte Hein Dushman Khelte Hein Phool”

Or

“Ae Rocket Tujhe Qasam Hai Himat Na Harrna

Jaisa Bhi Khada Aee Has Kar Guzarna”

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IMPACT OF TRUCK POETRY

The overall Impact of Poetry on Truck or Transport is normal, people normally read it, make an
idea about the personality of the Driver or owner or some times on some funny poetry they will
enjoy a lot.

Many Drivers use these words, statement or poetry to express their feelings but sometimes it is in
the nature of a person to read and write poetry because they understand and they love that poetry.

The only flaw of these poetry is that sometimes the driver of other vehicle took interest in such
kind of poetry and in the result they lose their consideration from driving and that may be
harmful for them and they may bear serious circumstances.

CONCLUSION
At the end, I would like to conclude that Truck Art is a very popular and famous among the
transport industry. Drivers and owners of truck spent lot of money on truck painting and
decoration. Each and every truck will be decorated and having daunting and painting once in 3 or
4 years.

It takes six to ten weeks for truck painting and decoration and during this decoration time truck
will be earn nothing for his owner.

An average amount that is spent on truck decoration is about 300,000 to 600,000 that is such a
lot of money. Although many truck drivers consider them below the poverty line and in fact they
don’t married ever.

These trucks are decorated with some Plastic Material, Reflection Tape (Chamak Patti), Iron
Rod, Steel body, Rubber, Color (mostly enamel). In the decoration of Truck, it include Truck
body, Back, Bumpers, Bonnets, Doors and upper and lower parts of Body

Truck painting includes different kinds of images, sceneries, shapes and as well as most famous
truck poetry.

Poetic point of truck expresses the feeling and emotions of truck drivers. Poetry may be Sad,
Romantic, Love, Trust, dialogue of some movie or song or may be some statement or sentence
written in different languages.

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These all the decoration will impact the passengers or movers a lot. The only drawback of poetry
is that sometimes the other driver may lose his or her consideration while reading such kind of
statements.

REFERENCES

Ehsan, O. 2009. Funny Truck, Rikshaw, Wagon Poetry in Pakistan [online] available at:

http://www.pro-pakistan.com/2009/08/30/funny-truck-rickshaw-wagon-poetry-in-pakistan/

[Accessed at: 11, May. 2011]

Elias. J, 2010. On Wings of Diesel [online] available at:

http://truckartpakistan.blogspot.com/2010/04/on-wings-of-diesel-jamal-elias-v-good.html

[Accessed at: 11, May. 2011]

Fancy. M, 2011 The Beauty of Truck Art [online] available at:

http://www.creativechowk.com/?paged=3

[Accessed at: 10, May. 2011]

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Geek, 2010. The Decorated Trucks of Pakistan [online] available at:

http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthread.php?39040-Truck-body-decoration-in-Pakistan

[Accessed at: 10, May. 2011]

Mania, 2011. The Decorated Truck of Pakistan [online] available at:

http://www.squidoo.com/mania

[Accessed at: 10, May. 2011]

Mohsin, 2010. Truck Painting and Poetry [online] available at:

http://hulchul.urdupoint.com/HC/topic/283461-truck-paintings-and-poetry/

[Accessed at: 10, May. 2011]

Mughal. O, 2008. Pakistan’s Indigenous Art of Truck Painting [online] available at:

http://pakistaniat.com/2008/06/18/pakistans-indigenous-truck-art/

[Accessed at: 10, May. 2011]

Rahim. P, 2010. Truck Painting and Poetry [online] available at:

http://www.dawn.com/2010/08/21/truck-paintings-and-poetry.html

[Accessed at: 10, May. 2011]

Rumi. R, 2010. Jahane Rumi. Rikshaw and Truck Poetry from Pakistan [online] available at:

http://www.razarumi.com/2010/02/19/rickshaw-and-truck-poetry-from-pakistan/

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[Accessed at: 11, May. 2011]

Shehhenshah, 2004. Pakistan Truck and Rickshaw Poetry [online] Available at:

http://www.paklinks.com/gs/gupshup-cafe/160501-pakistani-truck-and-rickshaw-poetry.html

[Accessed at: 11, May. 2011]

Usman. A, 2008 Pakistan’s Truck Art [online] available at:

http://pakteahouse.net/2008/09/17/pakistans-truck-art/\

[Accessed at: 11, May. 2011]

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