Sunday, August 30, 2020

Rikshaw cake





Colorful, bold and ornate art and poetry on trucks has become a sign of  cultural expression of Pakistan. In Pakistan, in the 1920s Bedford trucks imported from England were fitted with large wooden prows on top of the truck bed. Known as a taj, or crown, the ornate prow was also accompanied by decorative bumpers and wood paneling along the cabin. In the late 1940s, when trucks began long-haul journeys to deliver goods, each company designed a logo so that illiterate people would understand who owned the truck. Over time, these logos became increasingly ornate; the more flamboyant the design, the better for business.  In addition, humorous statements and poetry add to the exclusivity of the designs.  
"Truck art" has been adopted by auto rickshaws of Pakistan.  This rickshaw cake was fun to make, especially the final painting of "truck art".  It was a coconut cake with whip cream filling.