Punjab’s Artistic Skyline: A Unique Tradition Captured by Mumbai Photographer

Visitors to the hinterlands of Punjab are often taken aback by a striking and whimsical phenomenon that sets the region apart: the extraordinary sculptures that adorn rooftops across the area. From aeroplanes to alcohol bottles, footballs to battle tanks, these oversized, eclectic sculptures create a distinctive skyline that captures the imagination.

Mumbai-based photographer Rajesh Vora was no exception when he first encountered this phenomenon in 2014. Initially amused by the sheer novelty of the sculptures, Vora’s fascination quickly deepened as he began to appreciate the architectural integration of these pieces. “I was amused, like anybody would be seeing this kind of sculpture,” he told CNN. “But then I realised, as an architecture photographer, what amazed me was the integration of the sculptures on the houses, built by local artisans.”

This moment of realisation sparked Vora’s six-year obsession with documenting Punjab’s rooftop sculptures, culminating in a remarkable collection now showcased at the prestigious Les Rencontres d’Arles photography festival in France..

The story behind these unique sculptures traces back to the 1970s, when Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) began building homes in their ancestral villages. According to the festival’s website, these sculptures—ranging from footballs and lotuses to bottles of alcohol, battle tanks, Maruti cars, and especially aeroplanes—evolved as a form of personal expression and local tradition.

Each sculpture is a reflection of the homeowner’s personal interests and aspirations. “If somebody plays sports, they’ll put up a football there, if they are a chef they will put a pressure cooker… if somebody likes a nice drink, they’ll put a bottle of whiskey,” Vora explained to CNN. “All their personal aspirations are embodied in their houses.”

For Vora, the quest to capture these artistic expressions took him to some of Punjab’s most remote and uncharted regions, with days varying from fortunate finds of multiple sculptures to fruitless searches. Daulatpur village, in particular, emerged as a notable highlight, offering Vora the opportunity to capture several sculptures in a single frame.

Vora’s dedication to this unique aspect of Punjabi culture has resulted in a captivating body of work that now invites international audiences to experience this distinctive art form from afar.