DefinePK

Abstract

This study is based on social anthropological fieldwork conducted on cultural portraiture on the back of the trucks and those who execute these paintings. Because of various limitations this study was conducted only in the Punjab, but it reflects the psyche of all of Pakistan. The purpose was to investigate the ethnic artistic significance of portraiture in "truck art", a major component of folk art in many countries, such as Afghanistan, India, Indonesia and several others and it reflects their indigenous cultures. The present study highlights the history of portraiture in truck art, the changes that have occurred in it through time and the current trends. Judging from the interviews of numerous interlocutors, I realized that these portraits are regarded not only as an aesthetic part of the overall decoration of the truck, but also as visual depiction of their owners. It is argued that the portraiture leaves a lasting impression in the daily lives of local people. The changes have been selective, not wholesale, in an evolutionary response to new industry demands.