A self taught Indian artist, NEK CHAND, famous for his creation THE ROCK GARDEN at Chandigarh, passed away today, due to cardiac arrest. After living, 90 glorious years, the creator left us to reminisce him.
The artist was born on 15 December 1924 at Barian Kalan, Shakargarh. He did his matriculation from Lahore University. In 1951 Nek Chand was appointed as road inspector, Chandigarh Public Works Department. He was a wanderer, on every holiday he would bicycle to river beds, mountains and jungles in search for his treasure. Nobody, least of all Nek Chand, knew what was evolving.
Nek Chand was creating his own kingdom being unaware of what would happen in the future. He was busy in pumping life into every single creation.He kept working like this for 20 years.
Most likely Nek Chand is the first person in India, who demonstrated the concept of reuse and recycle and artificial waterfall.
In 1984, Nek Chand received the Padma Shree award for his rock garden, a home to number of sculptures, entirely created out of waste.He was a dedicated nature lover, inspiring himself from his surroundings, he turned himself into an accomplished artist.
ArchitectureLive! pays respect for all his endeavours.
One Response
another master passes and paves the way for the future to learn and venture