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The Unique Fantasy
Next to Sukhna Lake, in the city
of Chandigarh
, there is a world famous garden called Rock Garden. Situated in the thick
forest area, the garden holds its own charms for the visitors. It is full
of objects built from household and industrial waste. There are no flowers
or plants in this garden.
Sprawling
over several acres of woods in the form of an open-air exhibition hall,
theatre trove and a miniature maze all rolled into one vast fantasyland of
art and landscape. It is without doubt, a tourist spot that is a must on
the itinerary of every visitor to
Chandigarh .
The city's internationally acclaimed artist Nek Chand created this unique
sculpture garden. Here, the visitor is led through a maze of paths,
chambers and canyons, each presenting a glimpse of a fantasy world.
The visual delights and the strange history of Rock Garden, has charmed
millions of visitors since it was first opened to the public in 1976.
The Classic Work Of Art
An unpretentious entrance leads to a magnificent, almost surrealist
arrangement of rocks, boulders, broken chinaware, discarded fluorescent
tubes, broken and cast away glass bangles, building waste, coal and
clay-all juxtaposed to create a dream folk world of palaces, soldiers,
monkeys, village life, women and temples. The open-air sculptures and
concealed gateways separating them are at places enhanced by a waterfall,
pools and an open-air theatre with proper stage setting where several
prestigious performances have been staged.
The object to be seen there are the figures made of raw cement
resembling humans and animals. These figures have been decorated with
broken but colourful odds and ends of China clay. As one looks at them
with deep intent, they seem to be staring at the visitors while engaged in
various activities.
There are a group of dancing damsels made from bicycle and motorcycle's
waste materials, marching armies of warriors resting, flying or fledging
birds, made from countless bits of broken glass. There are groups of music
bands engaged in their activity of entertaining the visitors. Its creator
also needs a mention.
Materials
Used
The unique garden is made out of waste products. In the garden, very
attractive huts, dolls, birds and animals made by waste industrial
materials. Nek Chand used waste materials for creating this enviable
beauty. He developed very good shapes by using variety of discarded
material such as frames, mud guards, forks, handle bass, metal wires play
marbles, crowns of soft drink bottles, porcelain, auto parts, broken
bangles, pieces of slate, burnt bricks, waste building materials and even
human hair recovered from barber's saloons.
For the purpose of construction Nek Chand has salvaged a variety of
debris from demolished structures waste from lime kiln, discarded street
lights, electrical fittings, broken sanitary ware crockery, etc. thus
demonstrating how urban and industrial waste can be fruitfully recycled
and used in creative purpose.
Nek Chand: The Man behind the Fantastic Creation
The garden was visualised by Shri Nek Chand. He belongs to Gurdaspur
district in Punjab province. He started his life in PWD as a labourer, but
later rose to higher ranks. He came to Chandigarh as a Road Inspector. His
deep visualization made him pick and collect all sorts of discarded scrap.
He started to visit waste dumps of the factories. He collected their raw
cement, broken pipes and other discarded matter.
He created rapport with the truck drivers who carried and dropped his
debris at a vacant corner of the forest where now this unique creation
stands. For twelve years, he worked hard all alone on this unique fantasy.
After twelve years, Government noticed the work of Nek Chand. He was given
deserving patronage. An area of twelve acres was allotted for the
extension of the original Rock Garden. Even funds were provided for
carrying on the work.
When Nek Chand began to transform a dump of discarded building
materials, he was a road inspector of the city Public Works Department. He
kept the garden a closely guarded secret never suspecting that one day
critics would praise his unique works and he would exhibit them in Paris's
Museum of Modern Art and in other cities around the world.
Fun-Filled Festivity
The Teej Festival, when the Rock Garden assumes a festive look, holds a
special attraction for tourists. Young damsels partake in the fun and
frolic by swaying on the giant swings, while others adorn their hands with
traditional Mehandi (henna), amidst joyful songs and dances.
Timings
Open from 10.00 hrs to 19.00 hours all days except Thursdays and official
holidays.
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