September 10, 2025

Kolkata’s yellow taxis aren’t just vehicles—they are treasure chests of the city’s stories! Once ruling the streets with their steady rhythm, these charming Ambassadors are now fading memories. But wait, don’t say goodbye yet! To celebrate 40 vibrant years of the Asian Paints Sharad Shamman awards (1985-2025), a colorful revival called Cholte Cholte 40 has hit the road. Asian Paints has transformed 40 yellow taxis into moving art pieces, each one bursting with the spirit of a different decade of Durga Puja's grand history. Right now, 22 taxis cruise freely around Kolkata, while the remaining 18 will join by September 10. By September 11, all 40 beauties will shine across the city, telling tales through their stunning designs. This idea builds on 2023’s moving tram gallery, where traditional arts like alpona and cane craft met modern storytelling. Amit Syngle, MD and CEO of Asian Paints, shares, “Whether it is families going on the pandal trail, artists carrying their straw and clay from Kumartuli, or judges finding their way through the city, the taxi was integral to Kolkata. Everyone commuted via the yellow taxi. Forty taxis become living props that move through the city and represent each decade. Each decade had its own characteristic and nuance, and each was a period of cultural transition.” At a grand launch at JW Marriott Kolkata, four taxis rolled out wearing Kolkata's rich culture. From the city’s rock-band years and simple traditional Puja days to eco-themed celebrations and digital-age vibes, their art bursts with life. The interiors add royal flair with fabrics from Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s Paris X Calcutta collection, echoing famous Kolkata motifs like Mughal gardens and Persian carpets. Let’s zoom into the four decades: - The 1985–1995 taxi by Bikramjit Paul shows an elderly artist carving Ma Durga, dhakis drumming, and the first Sharad Shamman poster from Anandabazar Patrika. - Meenakshi Sengupta’s 1995–2005 design mixes LED floral lights, Ma Durga in a new red and white sari, trams, and roll shops—the simple Puja magic. - The bold 2005–2015 taxi by Sayan Mukherjee highlights a rebellious Ma Durga symbolizing women empowerment and features NRIs warmly welcomed in the city. - Srishti Guptaroy’s 2015–2024 car explores the digital age—with selfies during Puja, VR headsets, and the global recognition of Durga Puja by UNESCO in 2021. Kolkata may forget some things, but it never forgets its soul. The yellow taxi, once vanishing, now rides proudly again as the city’s living timekeeper. Clattering through lanes, they carry Puja's heartbeat and Kolkata’s legacy–until the last taxi disappears, but the memory races on!

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Tags: Kolkata yellow taxis, Asian paints sharad shamman, Durga puja, Cholte cholte 40, Kolkata culture, Art project,