Book Release

Rock Garden: A Vision of Creativity

Memoirs of Nek Chand

Venue:
Rock Garden (Hall) - Gate no. 2
5:00 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 13, 2009
Book Released by:
Chief Justice Pb. and Hy. High Court
Hon'ble Mr. Justice Tirath Singh Thakur

Eminent scholars, legal professionals, Journalists, Bureaucrats, and others were

among the audience present in the function.

Rock Garden: A Vision of Creativity

Mehta, V.P and Saini, Nek Chand

ISBN: 978-81-8048-148-2 Rs. 795.00 2010

Published by:
Arun Publishing House Pvt. Ltd.
SCO 49-51, SECTOR 17 C, CHANDIGARH - 160 017 (India)
Email: arunpublishing@yahoo.com - Tel. - (0172) – 2702189, 2702318
Rock Garden is the single most important contribution by an Indian to world culture in the
20th century. In creating the Rock Garden, Nek Chand has transformed waste into beauty and
has offered the world an extraordinary environment comprising a magical landscape of plants
and architecture with hills and valleys, meandering walkways, towering waterfalls, arches
and doorways which open up to unexpected vistas. Nek Chand's artistry, skill and
resourcefulness are evident at every turn. He has sharpened sensibilities and heightened
imagination. In addition to these qualities, he possesses abstract imagination and remarkable
intuition for planning new structures according to space and lay of the land. His creativity is
something to rejoice, his innate spirituality something to respect and above all the
humbleness of a great man brings humility on all in the face of such astounding
achievements. A visit to Rock Garden provides once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to peep into an
exotic land of dreams and architectural brilliance.

The narration of Nek Chand's life, struggle and memories as given in the book is exceptional
because of perfect understanding of Nek Chand's mind his creative activity. At appropriate
places, the exact words of Nek Chand are given in quotes. The book presents the essence of
his thought. It has been designed as to give a complete picture of the garden from beginning
to end. Many pictures of the garden are interspersed which will interest the readers. The
pictures of Nek Chand himself in relation with the garden show his interrelation with his
creation. As one unfolds the book, one is filled with scenes of fantasy and romance. The
visuals in the form of various phases of Rock Garden are excellent and give clear view of
Rock Garden even if you have not visited it. The book will be well received by readers.

“..........I have shared my feelings and all moments of joy and sorrow with Sh. V.P. Mehta. My
mind goes back to the happy times, which I spent in my village. The memory of those times
still haunts me. The trauma of partition shattered me and I could not recoup my equilibrium
and zest for life till I was able to create Rock Garden at Chandigarh.”
Nek Chand Saini

‘Rock Garden' is hailed as the unique art creation in the world. Created from discarded and thrown
waste materials such as old drums, cans, discarded lights, used and broken building material, tiles,
sanitary wares, bottles, glass bangles, beads etc, the Rock Garden located at northeastern edge of
Chandigarh, is perhaps the world's most touching and amazing evidence of the astonishing
exquisiteness by a Creative Artist, Nek Chand. He demonstrated the concept of reuse and recycle
through his vision, versatility and skillful artisanship by utilising waste and scrap for art and
conveyed that waste material can also be useful and made valuable by transforming these into
impressive living sculptures. With his excellent artistic sense, he captured the essence of all creatures
so well that no one else could have done. He has certainly touched the world with his creativity and
earned respect and pride for India. Creation of Rock Garden involved hard work, struggle, courage,
sincerity, determination, and humbleness of its creator. A visit to Rock Garden provides once-in-a-
lifetime opportunity to peep into an exotic land of dreams and architectural brilliance.
MESSAGES

I first had the pleasure of meeting Nek Chand at the opening of his exhibition at Watermans Arts
Centre, London in 1997. I had been aware of his work for several years and although I had long
admired the Rock Garden in photographs, it was not until 2001 that I made the journey to
Chandigarh to experience this enchanting environment for myself. Nothing prepared me for the
enormity of this encounter. To wander slowly along the pathways, through the gorges and beside the
waterfalls, to bow your head as you navigate the archways which open up to unexpected vistas, to
come face to face with the many creatures and characters that populate the Rock Garden, and to be
immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of this magical place is to enter another world. With busy
hands, inspired mind, boundless energy, limitless imagination and innovative use of abandoned and
discarded materials, Nek Chand has captured the very essence of childhood– the joy and wonder,
one, experiences on seeing things for the very first time.

In creating the Rock Garden, Nek Chand transformed a flat, featureless piece of land into a magical
landscape of plants and architecture with hills and valleys, meandering walkways, towering
waterfalls, arches and doorways which open up to unexpected vistas. This enchanting place is
peopled by all manner of creatures and characters, both real and imaginary, representing life in its
infinite variety. From the tiniest of details to the enormity of his larger vision, Nek Chand's artistry,
skill and resourcefulness are evident at every turn. Nek Chand has transformed waste into beauty and
has offered the world an extraordinary environment.
Julia Elmore
Nek Chand Foundation U.K.

Nek Chand's great genius is there for any visitor to the Rock Garden to experience. His initial
creation, illegal and clandestine, could so easily have been destroyed by the authorities but instead he
was given the support of people and city of Chandigarh. His creativity is something to rejoice, his
innate spirituality something to respect and above all the humbleness of a great man brings humility
on all in the face of such astounding achievements
John Maizels
Editor, Raw Vision magazine
Founding Trustee, Nek Chand Foundation, U.K.

Mr. Nek Chand's Rock Garden is the single most important contribution by an Indian to world culture
in the 20th century. In addition, the humble Punjabi road inspector has taught all of humanity that
waste can become wonders and that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Nek Chand is the living
soul of Chandigarh and this new biography tells not only his story but the story of an amazing city
that Prime Minister Nehru saw as the future of the great nation of India. The spiritual heart of the
city is Rock Garden and Mr. Nek Chand is the man who made magic, turning waste into art. He has
brought happiness and joy to over two million visitors that have seen the garden grow and evolve
over the past thirty years.
Tony Rajer
Administrator
Nek Chand Foundation, USA
 About the publisher
Arun Publishing House P Ltd. , the organisation initiated and established in 1977- groomed
as books and publishing firm by Veteran Freedom Fighter Late Sh. S. R. Sharma (S. Rama
1916-2003), M.A., B.Lib.Sc.; after completing spotless distinguished service and his
retirement as Asstt. Librarian from Panjab University Library, Chandigarh. The Arun
Publishing House that was incorporated as Private Limited Company is now being looked
after by Nalin Sharma, B.Com., E. Business Marketing and Sales as Director and Anil
Sharma, B.Sc. (Med.), M.A., M.Phil. (Public Admn.); Dip. in Computer Management as
M.D./Publishing Editor. The APHPL, since then is continuously and honestly working
towards enriching human needs of education, knowledge, wisdom, moral and cultural uplift
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now a known and trusted name for genuine and quality books is regularly bringing out, the
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(Nalin Sharma)
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49-51, Sector 17C, Chandigarh - 160017
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