Chandigarh Celebrates 100 Years of Nek Chand, Visionary Behind the Rock Garden

Chandigarh, Dec 9 (NationPress) The Governor of Punjab, Gulab Chand Kataria, officially opened the week-long celebrations honoring the 100th birth anniversary of Nek Chand, the visionary who created the renowned Rock Garden of Chandigarh.

This week-long event will continue until December 15 at the Rock Garden.

The inaugural ceremony commenced at the Nek Chand Memorial within the Rock Garden, featuring the lighting of diyas and floral tributes to his wax statue, creating a solemn atmosphere.

As part of the festivities, Kataria, who also serves as the Chandigarh Administrator, inaugurated a blood donation camp organized by the Rock Garden Society, which saw enthusiastic public involvement.

The Governor praised Nek Chand's creativity, asserting that the Rock Garden is a testament to how discarded materials can be transformed into stunning sculptures. He emphasized that not all waste has to be discarded; it can be transformed into art.

“A remarkable individual has crafted an extraordinary masterpiece. The Rock Garden is a must-visit destination for all tourists coming to Chandigarh,” he stated.

Nek Chand, whose whimsical garden was featured on an Indian postage stamp in 1983, mastered the art of sculpting using waste materials discarded by society and clandestinely established his workshop in a wooded area of north Chandigarh.

Materials like broken bangles, cutlery, chinaware, electrical components, marbles, tiles, and other household waste became part of his artistic creations.

The Governor noted that this eco-friendly approach not only enhances urban landscapes but also motivates future generations to value recycling and environmental awareness. He encouraged residents to draw inspiration from Nek Chand's legacy for creativity and sustainability in their lives.

The upcoming week of celebrations promises a variety of engaging activities for all. Every evening, attendees can enjoy captivating musical performances at Phase-III of the Rock Garden.

A fun-filled musical chairs event, open to the public, will provide an interactive and joyful aspect to the festivities.

Nek Chand passed away at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research on June 12, 2015, after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 90 years old.

Having battled diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, Nek Chand had been hospitalized for several days prior to his passing.

He is the most exhibited Indian artist, with his works displayed in major cities such as Paris, London, New York, Washington, and Berlin. Numerous books in various languages have been written about him, and he received offers of honorary citizenship from multiple countries.

Born on December 15, 1924, in a village in Gurdaspur under Shakargarh tehsil (now in Pakistan), he relocated to Chandigarh in 1947.

In the 1950s and 1960s, he worked as a road inspector on a construction project in Chandigarh while the city was being developed by the French architect Le Corbusier.