​​​

Rounded and regal, painted in unmistakable yellow — they’ve ruled the streets for decades. Part elegance and vintage charm, part everyday workhorse, these cars are more than just a way to get from one place to another. They’re a moving piece of Kolkata’s identity and part of its trademark.​

Sadly, their time is running out.
Stricter environmental regulations have sealed their fate, and aging taxis are being forced off the roads. One by one, the yellow Ambassadors are disappearing, replaced by boring Suzukis — to the quiet relief of some locals, and the sorrow of most visitors. Myself included.​

I came to Kolkata for a week to document what’s about to disappear — the taxis. To do so, I spoke to the people behind the wheel, explained to them what I was doing, and asked them about their lives. And after some time, the story took a turn, as I discovered something intimate, somewhat sad, at times hopeful, surprisingly warm — but most of all, so human.​

Behind the weary eyes and worn-out routines, behind the fact that they never use the meter and always overcharge, they are, along with their yellow beauties, the true ambassadors. For good, for bad, but always for real.

​

​