Indian Truck Artists in Deep Trouble as Sticker Trend Cuts Down Their Work
New Delhi : The brightly painted trucks that ply Indian roads not only carry goods but also showcase art, culture, and the mindset of their drivers. The beautiful paintings, slogans, and designs on these trucks have long been famous as “truck art.” But now, this art form faces a major challenge – the growing use of stickers.
Truck Art – A Moving Gallery on the Road
For decades, truck drivers in India have hired local artists to decorate their vehicles. These artists paint everything from “Horn Please” and “OK Tata” slogans to religious symbols, scenic landscapes, and even movie posters on the trucks. Every design reflects the driver’s own story, preferences, and worldview.
Stickers Stealing the Work
In recent years, instead of getting hand-painted designs, truck owners have turned to ready-made stickers, which are cheaper and quicker to apply. This saves truck owners both time and money, but it has sharply reduced the amount of work available for truck artists. Many experienced painters are now leaving automobile painting and taking up other jobs.
Struggles of the Artists
Irfan Ali, a truck artist from Uttar Pradesh, says, “Earlier, painting a truck used to give us 10–12 days of work. Now people get stickers installed in a single day. The earnings have also dropped to half.” The situation is the same in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
The Risk of Losing a Cultural Tradition
Historians believe truck art is not just decoration but a vibrant form of folk art that keeps regional languages, idioms, and folk tales alive on the roads. If the current trend continues, the art may survive only in photographs and books for future generations.
Hopes from Government and Organizations
Art experts say saving truck art will require initiatives from both the government and private organizations, such as workshops, exhibitions, and financial support to promote traditional paintings.
The colorful world of India’s truck artists now stands at a crossroads — either it will be buried under the sticker trend, or it will adapt in new ways to remain alive for generations to come.