India's trucks are works of art

Why India’s trucks are so colorful.

Bedfords were first introduced to British India during World War II. This truck model and others similar to it stuck around, and since then they've been produced commercially throughout the country. But today, they’re not just functional and mundane — their paintings make them stand out.

Colorful trucks aren’t rare in India, and their designs aren’t random. Artists that specialize in painting these trucks put a lot of thought into the art form, making the vehicles a spectacle of beauty in India.

This Vox Borders episode looks at why truck art is such a staple in India.

Vox Borders is an international documentary series by Emmy-nominated producer Johnny Harris exploring life at the edge of nations.

[Golden]

Living in India all my life I was so used to these trucks that I never thought this can be strange to someone.

[shaunakgokhale]

I don’t know for whom would this comment be:
But Swastikas are considered sacred in India, and have been from centuries. It has no relation with Nazism.

[varadarajkamath]

I'm Indian and I've never paid so much attention to truck art. I just thought they were an everyday thing.

[cosmosisrose]

The way he finished that circle at 4:11 ...so satisfying

[slothRaff]

Such amazing country. I"ll visit India one day. Love from Brazil

[moinshah]

Perhaps this video missed out on the best element of Indian truck art - Quotes and Poetry

[haristeen]

Bhartiya - IT'S JUST A TRUCK

Foreigners - THIS TRUCKS ARE REALLY

[llabronco]

Johnny and his editor each deserve a raise for these incredibly well thought out and put together videos. I mean the editing on this India series is on a whole new level. As usual, I’m looking forward to the next one.

[kunjalssj]

How could you do a video on Indian trucks and miss HORN OK PLEASE?

[jamesbradleydevomra]

5:13
"no girlfriend, no tension"

Wise words

[NGUNASEKARAN]

"Use Dipper at night" you misunderstood it. Dipper actually mean, flashing the headlamp by switching between lowbeam and highbeam.. so that it creates a flash kinda effect and attracts drivers concentration towards side mirrors.

[adityaagrahari]

The Best Line I Have Read: 'Dum hai toh pass kar.... varna bardash kar'😂😂😂😂😂
[Overtake me if you struggle and drive behind me]

[islandsunset]

Next week will be the final week of borders. Feeling sad. Wanted to see more India centric video. Hope you return again sometime in future and make another series.

[Denis-wmiv]

very nice country, Brazil loves India.

[jamescusack]

Watching the paint strokes gave me a strange satisfaction

[dakshinsundarcsds]

Man, you guys forgot the musical honking in these trucks.

[jjjani]

To us Indians, this is our everyday thing that we can't even imagine someone would be fascinated by it 😄💕

[wtflalit]

If you can drive an Indian truck on Himalayan Route, you can drive anywhere in the world.

[BackfallGenius]

No one:
Indian trucks: HORN OK PLEASE, USE DIPPER AT NIGHT, KEEP DISTANCE, THANK YOU, TATA BYE BYE

[Khushi_R]

Vox Guy, talking to a camera while crossing road
Indian Roads : *So you've chosen Death*