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New Delhi: People living in Kolkata recognise these iconic yellow taxis well, which once ruled the streets and faded with time. But in 2025, at least 40 of these iconic yellow taxis will make a comeback during Durga Puja 2025, not as a medium of transformation but as cultural ambassadors. These yellow cars have been transformed into vibrant art canvases and moving installations, each designed to reflect a different decade of this significant festival’s evolution.
This initiative, titled Cholte Cholte 40, celebrates 40 years of the Asian Paints Sharad Shamman, a prestigious award recognising the city’s most creative Durga Puja pandals. The interiors of these taxis deserve mention as these are thoughtfully curated, displaying wallpapers and fabrics from Asian Paints’ Royale range. Beyond honouring the legacy of Sharad Shamman, this project also revitalises the cultural importance of Kolkata’s yellow taxis, blending them with the city’s festive spirit and artistic heritage. Let’s explore more about the artists involved in the initiative.
There are at least four renowned contemporary artists involved who painted these iconic yellow cars of Kolkata. Here are the names.
1. Bikramjit Paul
He captured the era between 1985 and 1995, when Durga Puja shifted from elite celebrations to community festivals.
2. Meenakshi Sengupta
She depicted the era between 1995 and 2005, when Durga Puja became a grand social carnival.
3. Sayan Mukherjee
He recreated the era of spectacle, when themed pandals and corporate sponsorships transformed Durga Puja into immersive experiences between 2005 and 2015.
4. Srishti Guptaroy
She interpreted the era between 2015 and 2025. It’s the age when global ideas, digital interventions, projection mapping, live performances, and social media filters ruled.
For Kolkata citizens, who have known the yellow Ambassador taxi since its launch in the 1950s, it’s not easy to erase these cabs from their memories. These soon became the backbone of the city’s commute. These iconic taxis were more than just a means of transport. But, as it has made a comeback, enjoy its new avatar!
