Meet the Man behind the Rickshaws
Rickshaws are potentially the most popular transport in Bangladesh, and are certainly iconic of the region. They’re usually painted with ornate designs and in striking colours, and for good reason: the more ornate your rickshaw, the more attention you attract, and the more customers you get. Recently, the BBC had the chance to meet one of the most famous rickshaw painters, Mohammed Shahin Hossain, in Dhaka, the capital.
Mohammed has been painting for the last 15 years after he was initially introduced to it by his father. He was then taught by his master, and has been improving his craft ever since, and it’s safe to say he’s an excellent painter and a beautiful craftsman.
He’s able to make a reasonable living from it and claims that he makes between $200-300 per month. Impressively, rickshaws with his work on them have even been exported internationally, to countries as far away as America and France. It must be incredible to have your art in such high demand!
Each rickshaw is entirely personal: each customer wants their own artistry, perhaps even reflecting a little of themselves in their rickshaws. Some want images of the Taj Mahal, others want white peacocks and others insist on only having natural scenery.
Whatever they want, Mohammed creates it, and it’s beautiful.
We even get the chance to see Mohammed with his family; his two sons and his wife. He has high hopes for his children, as he hopes that rather than following in his footsteps, that they become religious scholars.
Take two minutes to watch his video here:
Lauren is a soon-to-be London lawyer and a current Masters student studying in Rennes, France for a Masters in French law (specializing in European Union Law). She’s a blogger (www.thelifestylediaries.com) and has worked for Her Campus Media as President of the University of Exeter chapter and the Manager of UK Expansion in the past. When she’s not working she loves reading, watching old films, walking with her dog in the English countryside and enjoying all that London has to offer. An avid traveler, and someone who wants to experience as many cultures as she can, Lauren visited Sri Lanka last year and is looking to visit Bali, Italy and Canada this year.
