A day full of journey and
enjoyment. Till now we are on travel; travelling by train to be back to Delhi
to have a sleep in our cozy beds. ‘We’ means me, my husband, and my parents.
Today we came down to Chandigarh from Amritsar to visit Rock Garden. An
open-air garden, visiting in a hot sunny day in India, cannot be advisable; but
we had no option. Day was hectic but wonderful.
In our childhood days, we
often took part in competitions of making decorative handicrafts using
thrown-away. But one can make a 49000 square meter garden of models and dolls
using waste materials, is really unbelievable. Till yes, it has been done. Mr.
Nek Chand Saini, a road inspector of Chandigarh of its development age, made it
possible. The garden is known as Rock Garden as well as Nek Chand’s Garden.
This park is a part of forest reserve area adjacent to Sukhna Lake, an
artificial lake formed during making of Chandigarh.
A nominal
value tickets were collected from the wolf den like window and we entered into
the garden through a low roof entry gate made of stones. Incredible ambiances
were there to welcome us. We suddenly got encompassed by deep green trees,
stony walls and tranquil environment. It was wonderful and refreshing.
Sculptures were there on the both sides of the trail. After a small walk of few
meters we reached the hut which was the studio of the creator.
Mr. Nek Chand did his
creative works in his off time. What a great mind he had! He collected urban
and industrial waste and garbage from demolition sites of the under
construction city and put them together to make models of men, women, birds and
animals. From broken glaze tiles to damped ceramic holders and even broken
glass bangles all were collected and recycled for creativity. Nothing is
useless if we have the intelligence and willing to use it. He spent years after
years secretly in making these surprising collections. Secret because the
canyon in the forest he used for his creation was declared as reserved land and
no construction was allowed there. He successfully kept his project hidden for
18 years. In 1975 it was discovered by Government. But huge public support
stopped demolition of this brilliant construction and the place became open for
all in 1976.
Listening
the story while walking in that relaxing geoge put me in the middle of the
happening history. An unexpressive exhilaration amazed me. Complete trail is
also planned very proficiently to boost the amaze of milieu. Narrow lanes
between high stony walls give an unknown excitement in mind. The finishing of
statues, decorated by wasted potteries, made me spellbound. The statues
decorated by broken bangles have ultimate beauty and color. Among different
animals and birds, peacocks are the best in my eyes. The park became more
attractive because of two beautiful water falls.
After an
hour walk we reached near the exit and a lifeless crowd waited there to goodbye
us. The most attractive thing is the uniqueness in creativity. 100% originality
reflects in his works. The figures he made are not all different from each
other. A group of similar statues placed in array pattern over an area – is a
quite unusual sight. His inimitable thinking made his creation gorgeous and
more attractive.
After one hour and fifteen
minutes when I came out of the park, my concept about beauty had been modified
and definition of creativity and intelligence was changed. I have rarely had
such a knowledge enriched trip. I was speechless for few minutes. I seemed like
I just have completed reading a good novel full of originality and
inspirations. The urge of creation is still diverting my concentration from
real world. I was so impressed that failed to resist myself from writing dairy
in train only.
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