Chandigarh is all set to showcase the sculpture kingdom Rock Garden during the Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi.
The city’s tableau would be the part of Republic Day parade 2014 after a gap of more than a decade. The national panel has already accepted Chandigarh proposed theme Rock Garden. During a meeting on Thursday in New Delhi, the national panel informed the senior UT officials that the city’s tableau number will be 12 among other participating states and union territories.
Chandigarh’s tableau will showcase Rock Garden, a sculpture kingdom created by world famous sculptor Padma Shri Nek Chand. Prominent features of the city would also be displayed. located in Sector 1, this prime tourist spot of Chandigarh spreads over an area of over 40 acres and is made out of recycled materials by Nek Chand.
Designed to look like a lost kingdom, the Rock Garden having three phases, has low arches and doorways made from discarded bags of cement, walled pathways leading to large mosaic courtyards, deep gorges, steps, waterfalls, porches and buildings. Discarded tube lights, rusting oil drums, broken tiles, shattered china and sanitary ware, glass bangles, unused building material, burnt bricks, electrical fittings and wires, caps from bottles, bicycle handlebars, and other scrap are given magnificent shapes in the Rock Garden.
According to the official statistics, the far-famed tourist spot-Rock Garden attracts more than 4000 people every day. Each visitor has to pay Rs 20 as entry fee. Notably, the UT Administration has roped in a team of experts to design city’s tableau for Republic Day parade. During the parade, tableaus of various States/Union Territories and ministries showcase India’s cultural diversity and military might. Each moving exhibit depicts culture and special features of the participating States/Union Territory, along with music and songs of that particular participant.