Truck art in South Asia

The concept of decorating transportation and vehicles goes back to Indus valley civilization era, where people used different items for decorations on transportation,[4][dubious – discuss] 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.

[10] 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.

[14] 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.

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.

[21] In Pakistan, Karachi is a major city centre for truck art, though there are other hubs in Rawalpindi, Swat, Peshawar, Quetta and Lahore.

[14] 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.

[23] The state of Punjab is considered a major centre of truck art in India, with a distinctive style and expert artists.

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.