Running Art

What catches a visitor's eye first about the Pakistan, in streets, are a colourfully painted busses and trucks. The drawings on the bus portray scenes from the nation's history. The four most important provinces of Pakistan present themselves of the busses: Punjab, Balouchistan, Sindh and NWFP (North West Frontier Province). Lot of the trucks and busses clanking along Pakistan's streets are as elaborately decorated as the silk trading caravans that once trackked the Karakoram Higway.These transports are decorated from roof to tires. Describing the culture, history and the imaginations the owners do have. There is a keen competition among truck owners who take great pride in the distinctive design of their vehicals. Wether its Suzuki pickups, Tayota Hiluxs, rikshaws(3 seaters), etc, they are decorated in the best way they can. Bus drivers know that the brighter the bus the more passengers it will attract.
In the past times, goods were traded along the hazadous routes through mountains and deserts, were carried by camels and donkeys adorned with colourful embroidered silks.

Good luck charms evoked the protection of the Almighty against bandits and the evil eyes. As motor vehicals got introduced on these routes, replaced the use of animals but the old customs still remains.
Families who have art and painting as a profession from generations turned their interests in motor vehicals decoration and painting after the independence of Pakistan. Most businesses are still family oriented, with skills passed down from father to son. The style of paintings varied time to time and also influenced by the things going on in Pakistan's environment. Interior is equally beautifully decorated as the outside looks.