Punjab, often known for its lively culture, is also famous for its unique rooftop sculptures, which are even featured in several Bollywood films, including the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Dunki. From battle tanks and buses to animals, cars and the most common airplanes, these quirky sculptures aren’t just for decoration purposes, they are actually functional water tanks in private homes. Mumbai based photographer Rajesh Vora has been fascinated by these eye-catching water tanks since he started capturing them in 2014. Over the years, he has travelled to 150 villages and his collection of photos is now featured at the prestigious Les Rencontres d’Arles photography festival in France.
Vora claims that each water tank tells its own story and offers a glimpse of the local traditions. In a conversation with CNN, when Vora saw these structures for the first time, the photographer said he was “amused, like anybody would be seeing this kind of sculpture.” He added, “But then I realized, as an architecture photographer, what amazed me was the integration of the sculptures on the houses, built by local artisans. 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. All their personal aspirations are embodied in their houses.”
These unique rooftop sculptures are often custom built by NRI or by their families who still live in the villages of Punjab. Last year, Rajesh Vora published a book titled, Everyday Monuments, featuring images from various villages. In the book, he mentioned meeting local architects, scholars and experts, who explained that around 30 artisans in the area collaborate with homeowners and their families to create these complex sculptures.
Taking pictures of Punjab’s unique water tank looks like an easy task, but it wasn’t easy when Rajesh Vora first started his project. According to him, some villages weren’t listed on Google Maps, so he had to travel to these areas personally to try his luck and find the best shots. On some days, he would find several interesting designs, while on other days, he might come back empty handed. Daulatpur Village was a rare find, where he captured multiple fascinating designs in a single frame.
Despite the charm of these unique water tank sculptures, Rajesh Vora has concerns about their future. He wonders whether the younger generations, who might not return to India or maintain these properties, will continue the tradition. Vora points out that without proper maintenance, these houses could vanish over time.
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