Rickshaw art - in pictures

  • Shefali Pandey documents the art plastered on auto rickshaws in Ahmedabad, India, with the hashtag #RicksPics on Instagram. All photos: Shefali Pandey
    Shefali Pandey documents the art plastered on auto rickshaws in Ahmedabad, India, with the hashtag #RicksPics on Instagram. All photos: Shefali Pandey
  • While a range of artwork is displayed, most of it is inspired by Bollywood.
    While a range of artwork is displayed, most of it is inspired by Bollywood.
  • What makes Shefali Pandey's Instagram account interesting is the running commentary she provides.
    What makes Shefali Pandey's Instagram account interesting is the running commentary she provides.
  • Pandey started documenting the works in 2019.
    Pandey started documenting the works in 2019.
  • Pandey spent nine years in New York studying journalism and working for publications before returning to Ahmedabad in 2015.
    Pandey spent nine years in New York studying journalism and working for publications before returning to Ahmedabad in 2015.
  • In conversations with the drivers, Pandey found the posters were often simply a reflection of the driver's preferences or chosen to match the upholstery.
    In conversations with the drivers, Pandey found the posters were often simply a reflection of the driver's preferences or chosen to match the upholstery.
  • She says: 'The holy trinity of brawny men, overdressed brides and chubby babies were the favourites among images that I saw every day.'
    She says: 'The holy trinity of brawny men, overdressed brides and chubby babies were the favourites among images that I saw every day.'
  • Pandey says the Bollywood actors in the pictures have changed over time, with Sonakshi Sinha and Karishma Kapoor popular before, and now Alia Bhatt.
    Pandey says the Bollywood actors in the pictures have changed over time, with Sonakshi Sinha and Karishma Kapoor popular before, and now Alia Bhatt.
  • Cherubic babies are also a common motif.
    Cherubic babies are also a common motif.
  • Many of the posters are a throwback to the tacky posters that one saw in homes during the 1980s and 1990s in India, Pandey says.
    Many of the posters are a throwback to the tacky posters that one saw in homes during the 1980s and 1990s in India, Pandey says.
  • The choices often depend on the preferences of the driver or the workshop that fitted out the rickshaw.
    The choices often depend on the preferences of the driver or the workshop that fitted out the rickshaw.
  • Pandey plans to continue the Instagram project for as long as there's interest.
    Pandey plans to continue the Instagram project for as long as there's interest.
  • She says the response she's had on social media has been overwhelming.
    She says the response she's had on social media has been overwhelming.
  • The rickshaw exercise is a side project for Pandey.
    The rickshaw exercise is a side project for Pandey.
  • Shefali Pandey in the mirror on an auto rickshaw in Ahmedabad.
    Shefali Pandey in the mirror on an auto rickshaw in Ahmedabad.