Nek Chand, Creator of Chandigarh's Rock Garden, Dies at 90
Nek Chand, the visionary creator of Chandigarh’s Rock Garden, has passed away at the age of 90. Beginning his artistic journey in the 1950s, he secretly crafted intricate sculptures from discarded materials near the city. The Rock Garden opened to the public in 1976, showcasing approximately 2,000 sculptures of various themes, including dancers and animals, complemented by artificial waterfalls. Chand remained devoted to the garden until his death. Honored with several accolades, including the Padma Shri and the Médaille Grand Vermeil de la Ville de Paris, his legacy is commemorated as government offices closed to pay tribute to him.
Key facts
- Nek Chand died aged 90.
- He was the self-taught creator of Chandigarh's Rock Garden.
- He began making sculptures in secret in the 1950s.
- He used found materials including rocks and broken glass bangles.
- The Rock Garden opened to the public in 1976.
- Chand was its director until his death.
- The garden contains about 2,000 sculptures and artificial waterfalls.
- The Nek Chand Foundation maintains the garden.
Entities
Artists
- Nek Chand
Institutions
- Nek Chand Foundation
- The Tribune
Locations
- Chandigarh
- India
- Paris