Creator of world famous Rock Garden, Nek Chand dies at 90

By NewsGram Staff Writer

Nek Chand Saini, the man behind the famous Rock Garden in Chandigarh breathed his last on Friday, 12:10 AM in PGI. The 90-year old died of cardiac arrest.

Born in Berian Kalan village, (now in Pakistan) on December 15, 1924, Nekchand emigrated to India with his family and settled in Chandigarh in 1950. This is where his journey from being a public transport official to a creative genius began.

Unfortunately, his death came just a few days before his 40 figurative mosaic sculptures were to be put on display for the first time in the UK Pallant House Gallery in Chichester (West Sussex) from June 13 to October 25. The works are on loan from the Nek Chand Foundation in London.

In 1972, the municipal authorities discovered the environmental marvel created by Nekchand, and took the decision of providing a team of labourers and financial support to enable him to continue his work. Officially recognised in 1976, the site, which came to be known as the Rock Garden, was, and is a key tourist attraction of Chandigarh.

In a brief conversation with a national daily, his son Amit Saini said that he was admitted in a private hospital after reports of medical tests indicated problems but was shifted to PGI on Thursday evening after his condition worsened.

His body will be kept at the Rock Garden, a wonderland he had created out of waste material so that his fans can pay tributes for at least a day.