Rickshaw art

Rickshaw in flooded road, 1994

Rickshaws are the most popular means of transportation in Bangladesh. In the capital Dhaka there are over 600,000 competing for passengers.

Rickshaw with passenger in Sylhet 1996

Rickshaws are covered with paintings of rural scenes, animals, film stars, the rich and the famous, great monuments and religious symbols. The dress of the passenger above compliments the art work on the rickshaw.

Celebrity rickshaw portraits, 2009

Rickshaws have become mobile works of art. Scores of people are employed to paint and decorate this popular form of human powered transport. In recent years computer generated images have joined hand painted patterns. The main aim of rickshaw art is to attract the attention of potential passengers.

River scene on a rickshaw, 2009

Rural scenes are a popular motif. The river scene above adorns the backboard of the rickshaw. Rickshaws are a cheap and popular mode of transport over short distances. Currently there is a battle between rickshaws and cars in Dhaka. Rickshaws are blamed for traffic congestion. However, rickshaws are safe, environmentally friendly and do not rely on fossil fuels. Many people rely on rickshaws. The industry employs people from 38 different professions.

Rickshaw art, Dhaka 2009