Latest news with #subcontinent
The Guardian
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Trucks and Tuks: Decorated Vehicles of South Asia
A pair of kajal (kohl) laden eyes, a colourful parandi (tassel), a soaring bird or even revered gods and goddesses – such symbols are painted by self-taught artists on to the trucks and tuks of the Indian subcontinent. All carry with them a story, personal to the individual driver, yet shared within a collective consciousness of myths, fables, faiths and traditions. Photograph: Christopher Herwig The average Indian goods truck covers about 300km a day, with drivers spending most of the year away from their family and friends. Provided government regulations don't intervene, the extent to which a truck or vehicle might be decorated is unrestricted. For a driver, the truck isn't simply a carrier of goods, but their very own dulhan (bride). Consequently, trucks are embellished with bridal symbols and cab interiors mimic bridal rooms – stuffed full of colourful fabrics, parandis, mirrors, pom-poms and tassels. Photograph: Christopher Herwig The designs reflect a driver's identity, faith and aspirations and span a bewildering range of themes: ideals of masculinity might be intertwined with expressions of love and longing, while bold typography urges drivers to blow their horns, or promotes a campaign for the education of girls. Photograph: Christopher Herwig Sajavat (ornamentation and decoration) has long been an essential part of everyday life across South Asia. It can be found not only on vehicles, but also adorning well-decorated homes, as in the flowering motifs of alpana (traditional folk) designs, or the heavily embroidered traditional kantha (quilts). Photograph: Christopher Herwig The scale, extravagance and intention of the designs vary depending on the origins of the truck, as well as the driver's nationality and cultural background. In parts of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, miniature portrayals of idyllic landscapes, such as peasants harvesting crops, or riverside vistas complete with coconut palms, are usually painted on the sides of a truck, or on small niches at the rear. Photograph: herwig/Christopher Herwig Some decorations display evocative scenes from folklore or media. Photograph: Christopher Herwig In Pakistan, Islamic fundamentalists belonging to the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), Swat and Dir districts constantly pressure drivers to remove human and animal imagery from the trucks, driving truck artists out of these areas and shutting down their workshops. The fear of persecution or having their cargos looted or damaged has forced drivers with painted and embellished trucks out of these regions, while new trucks, decorated in abstract, minimal designs, have replaced them. Photograph: Christopher Herwig Between the 1950s and the 1980s truck art developed considerably, encompassing popular South Asian aesthetics alongside evolving traditional motifs. This was particularly reflected in the practice of filling every inch of a 'canvas', inspired by the way Indian and Pakistani cinema billboards had become louder in appearance. These in turn, had been influenced by the Pop Art and psychedelic movements which had arrived from the west in the 1960s. The first vehicles to be painted in this fashion were the mini-buses of Karachi. The approach quickly transferred to local trucks, the range of decoration continually expanding. Photograph: Christopher Herwig The fusion of folk and popular traditions, both accidental and intentional, is significant. In rickshaw art, the ancient folk traditions of Bangladesh (which are derived from the intermingling of the Ajanta and Tibetan traditions) are combined with local designs to develop new forms of urban vernacular folk art. Photograph: Christopher Herwig This use of a shared visual language is also visible in the appropriation of symbols and portraits such as those of the Sikh gurus and saints, adopted by the Muslim drivers in Pakistan, to portray their own prominent Sufi saints and ulma , scholars of Islamic law and theology. Photograph: Christopher Herwig Vehicle art continues to evolve in unexpected directions, incorporating and juxtaposing influences from numerous, sometimes seemingly contrasting worlds. With no formal artistic education (in most instances) many artists are taught on the job, training under an ustad (master artist). They learn to develop their individual imagination using ephemera from their immediate surroundings; posters, picture books, calendars, and so on, as inspiration. With this inexhaustible supply of material, they are able to produce new hybrids, while adding unique variations to established motifs. Photograph: Christopher Herwig At any given moment a vibrant collection of colours, poetry and totems can be found travelling the roads and highways. These living, breathing, moving metaphors traverse the narrowest of mountain turns and muddiest of tracks – the arteries that keep the Indian subcontinent alive. Photograph: Christopher Herwig
France 24
4 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Struggling Test opener Konstas sent on Australia A tour of India
The 19-year-old, who had a horror time during Australia's recent senior tour of the West Indies, was the only incumbent Test player selected for two four-day games in Lucknow. Test-capped players Cooper Connolly, Todd Murphy and Nathan McSweeney were also in the 14-man squad. A separate Australia A squad was named for three one-day games. "The subcontinent provides many unique challenges and the opportunity to utilise different skills with bat and ball," said Bailey. "We hope repeated experiences in these conditions will assist players in developing an effective method and understanding of their game for future subcontinent tours." Konstas made headlines in the Melbourne Boxing Day Test last year when he took on Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to make a blazing debut 60 with a succession of unorthodox shots. He lasted one more Test before being jettisoned, only to win back his place for the West Indies Test series in June-July. However, he failed to pass 25 in six innings with his hold on the position increasingly shaky ahead of Australia's home Ashes series against England this year. Australia A four-day squad: Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott © 2025 AFP
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney headline Ashes audition ahead of Sheffield Shield season
Test batters Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney will have an early run in the looming Ashes bat-off after being named for the Australian A tour of India. Australian chief selector George Bailey announced two squads on Thursday, a red-ball and a white-ball squad, for next month's subcontinent series. The Aussies will play five games against India, starting on September 16 and finishing in early October. McSweeney and Konstas headline a 14-strong red-ball squad that also includes Test hopefuls Cooper Connolly, Todd Murphy and Lance Morris. Bailey said upcoming subcontinent tours were front of mind when picking the squad but made note of players returning in time for the start of the Sheffield Shield season. 'The subcontinent provides many unique challenges and the opportunity to utilise different skills with bat and ball,' Bailey said. 'We hope repeated experiences in these conditions will assist players in developing an effective method and understanding of their game for future subcontinent tours. 'For many of these players we remain interested in the development of their short-form cricket as well, but balancing out priorities meant we wanted them back and available for the start of the Sheffield Shield season.' The white-ball series will provide opportunity to a host of Australia's up-and-comers, including Harry Dixon, Lachie Shaw and Tom Straker. Out-of-form youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk will also get an opportunity to regain touch on pitches he has relished in the past. Australia A (four-day squad): Xavier Bartlett Cooper Connolly Jack Edwards Aaron Hardie Campbell Kellaway Sam Konstas Nathan McSweeney Lance Morris Todd Murphy Fergus O'Neill Oliver Peake Josh Philippe Corey Rocchiccioli Liam Scott Australia A (one-day squad): Cooper Connolly Harry Dixon Jack Edwards Sam Elliott Jake Fraser-McGurk Aaron Hardie Mackenzie Harvey Todd Murphy Tanveer Sangha Liam Scott Lachie Shaw Tom Straker Will Sutherland
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
UK-India trade deal to give huge boost to economy – but there's STILL bad news for Rachel Reeves
AN INDIAN trade deal signed today will boost Britain's economy by £4.8billion a year - but will come too late to bail out Rachel Reeves before the Budget. Sir Keir Starmer will host his counterpart Narendra Modi to ink the long-awaited agreement that tears down tariff barriers. 2 The post- Brexit pact will also exempt Indian temporary workers in the UK from paying National Insurance, and vice-versa with our citizens employed on the subcontinent. But ministers insist it will not increase net migration, which was one of the main fears when subsequent Tory PMs tried to get a deal done. Indian average tariffs on UK exports will be slashed from 15 to 3 per cent, while whisky producers will toast an immediate duty cut from 150 to 75 per cent. Trade Department analysis reckons the deal will add £4.5billion to UK GDP every year, boost wages by £2.2billion and rake in £1.8billion in tax receipts. However it is understood that the benefits of the deal - which needs to be ratified by both countries' Parliaments - will not be taken into account by the OBR in time for the Budget. Sir Keir said last night: 'Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britian. 'It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.' In April 2022 then PM Boris Johnson pledged an Indian trade deal 'by Diwali' but negotiations were held up by demands for more visas for Indian migrants. Current Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith last night hailed Brexit allowing Britain to strike out alone and make trade agreements. Moment Trump drops paperwork for US-UK trade deal after confirming it's 'done' alongside Starmer at G7 summit in Canada He said: 'This deal is only possible because of Brexit delivered by the Conservatives. 'Our slow learner of a Prime Minister must take note and stop capitulating to Brussels via his lopsided EU reset deal. 'Any trade deal that can successfully cut regulation which stops Britain's makers from creating new jobs and wealth will be a step in the right direction.' 2
Bloomberg
23-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Prada Scandal Proves the Power of India's Troll Army
Retailing for as little as $10, India's beloved Kolhapuri sandals are a staple in wardrobes across the sub-continent. So when luxury brand Prada SpA debuted a new type of footwear at Milan Fashion Week that bore a stark resemblance to them, it didn't take long for the fury to build online. The saga underscores how much power the South Asian giant's digital tribe holds, where online outrage regularly influences public debate — especially when citizens perceive their heritage is under attack. International firms eyeing one of the world's fastest-growing markets should weigh the risks of these cultural missteps.
