Amritsar: Internationally renowned Pakistani ‘truck artist' Haider Ali recreated his magical art today as he turned a vehicle into canvas, and made alive the rich cultural heritage of pre-partition Punjab.
Ali's artistry ,that focused on Punjabi love legends and folk themes, was on display at a food joint, Sarhad food and culture park, on the Indian side of the Attari/Wagah border.
Prior to this, Ali had painted at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, Luton Culture Museum in Luton, UK, and in Ankara and Istanbul.
Owned and promoted by Aman Jaspal, the food joint ‘Sarhad' is a celebration of the architectural, cultural and culinary heritage of pre-partition Punjab.
“When I see the enthusiasm of young people like friend Aman to promote friendly relations between India and Pakistan, I feel inspired. Sarhad is a unique way of promoting peace through food, art and culture,” Ali said.
Jaspal said he had invited Ali, who had painted two mini trucks at the food joint last year, to paint another Indian vehicle on the occasion of Independence Day.
He said Ali's truck art will convey the message of peace through Punjabi folk themes.
The unique Pakistani tradition of truck painting has an extraordinary history going back to the days of British Raj.
This art form has its roots in the 1920s, when competing transport companies in Pakistan's hired craftsmen to decorate their buses to attract more customers.
