Horn Please

Truck art has been a part of India’s visual lexicon for decades. The trucks that were deployed as army vehicles during World War II were made available for civilian use when the conflict ended, and trucks continue to play a pivotal role in transporting heavy-duty goods.

Most drivers are on the road for weeks, often sleeping and eating in their vehicles. Their trucks become their homes, and drivers go to great lengths to beautify them. They collaborate with artists who specialize in truck painting, choosing colors and symbols that express the drivers’ emotions, aspirations, faiths, and cultural roots. Certain catchphrases like “Horn Please” and “Use Dipper At Night”, encouraging other drivers to dim their headlights as darkness approaches, are common.

These colorful vehicles immediately attracted me on my first trip to India. During subsequent visits, I sought out locations where large numbers of trucks were parked and where truck artists painted. This week I present a group of photos from my collection of painted trucks.

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