Auto-rickshaw interiors

 An old mechanical auto-rickshaw meter

 A tribute

 It's the thought that counts

 

Brick walls make everyone look rugged

Gotcha!

Traveling through Bangalore

Namma

For several months the city has been abuzz with talk of the now-functional Metro. Naturally, a large number of its citizens are opposed to the new transport system. Many of them, I found out from an agitated auto driver, are auto drivers. 

- Biswajith Manimaran

Honesty

Earlier this year auto driver, K. Panduranga, returned over Rs. 500,000 ($ 10,000) after a passenger left it behind in his vehicle. The driver took the money to a police station from which it was just a few short steps to its rightful owner. The story was reported by all local news parties and the major national ones too. The height of coverage is a clear indicator of general sentiment. Every word and its tone betray intentions and reflect expectations.

- Biswajith Manimaran

Brotherhood

Vehicle-related accidents are not uncommon in Bangalore; expectedly, auto rickshaws see a fair share of these. What is interesting is the support within the community. Auto drivers never fail to jump to the aid of a distressed colleague. Even when only a single auto is visible, several more will materialize at the slightest hint of an accident. Perfect loyalty to a uniformed brother. Seemingly regardless of true fault, the noble drivers will crowd, harass and stare down any problem that befalls a fallen bug.

- Biswajith Manimaran

Swarm Rising

In 2010 Delhi's Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, announced a plan to phase out autorickshaws and replace them with electric vehicles. Two years later the number of autorichshaws (with permits) is exactly the same. Bangalore has never announced similar intents but its people often denounce autorickshaws, citing vulgarity, pollution and harassment as reasons. Despite all the negative sentiments auto rikshaws still speckle the face of the city. Just this week the High Court approved another 40,000 work permits, leading to 125,000 registered rickshaws. Although the city's border has expanded, the traffic conditions do not allow for such a large increase in vehicles. Further, the devolopment will lead to a hike in auto fare as the potential passengers are spread over more service providers, making the individual driver's wage smaller. This change will likely benefit the manufacturers and dealers of the vehicles and even the passengers, but not the drivers.

- Biswajith Manimaran

Auto Art

Autos — a convenient, yet increasingly expensive mode of transport, but also a blank canvas for its humble driver, on which he may express his individuality. It is interesting to consider the motivations behind the tacky, jarring and colorful artwork one often sees all over auto-rickshaws in Bangalore city. Could it be that the cost of an auto falls in the perfect range wherein it is considered safe to do a little experimentation (something one would never do to a shiny car, lest it is ruined for good or needs to be repainted for an unreasonable sum)? This aspect of cost might very well explain the lack of artwork on the new green autos. While I have no evidence to support this premise, it is easy to imagine the fear of a green-auto-owner of damaging the shiny green paint. Much like we subconsciously realize that the minute we take the protective plastic sticker off the screen of our brand new (unscratched) cell phone, it will cease to be new.
Quite similar to how we covered every available surface with sparkly stickers when we first discovered those magical things that just stuck to other things, auto drivers seem to delight in covering their beloved vehicles with stickers that they believe tell a story about themselves. Their autos are like their own personal journals, adorning it with a new sticker every once in a while, like we add charms to a bracelet. The autos are like a chaotic collage, most often proudly displaying the driver’s name on the front. The little window at the back is almost a devotional portable temple-like space, regardless of whether this devotion is directed towards god, actor or cricketer. The rest of the auto is mostly decorated with graphics such as red roses, women’s faces, cheesy quotes and the like. One never knows, there might be a popular adage among auto-drivers in Bangalore that roughly sums up to something like “The more the stickers, the better the auto.” But it’s probably dying out anyway.

-Ruchika Nambair

Cockroaches of the Tarmacadam

This is an auto.
There are many autos.
This is my auto.




  
Customization plays an important role in everything we can control, from our wardrobe to our homes to our vehicles. This is of particular significance to auto-rickshaw drivers as the auto is not only a means of transport, but a profession, a living. In a city crammed with the tripeds it is only natural that some would seek to stand out and establish an identity.
                This usually comes in the form of posters, paintings and stickers, but if you are lucky you will catch the cool glow of faux-neon strips or maybe makeshift interior lighting. The modifications are not limited to visuals; many autos have custom-built and custom-installed audio systems that you feel more than hear. More interestingly, several autos have personalized horns, a few of which are more intimidating than an 18-wheeler in motion.
                Despite the immense potential for identity in these vehicles, many drivers forgo aesthetic remodelling for advertisements. The reason is simple: money. Considering the wages of this job supplementary income is always welcome. This often gets in the way of what is undeniably, art, and a defining part of local culture.
                I see this as a problem. I see a solution. I hereby propose F.A.R.T. (Fund for the Artistic Renovation of Transport). The interested may help build, paint, install and beautify the autorickshaws of Bangalore. The interested and incapable may donate money to projects they like or are inspired by. This could be an opportunity to uplift the social standing of auto drivers and change the face of a city in one long fell swoop.

- Biswajith Manimaran