A Padma Shri awardee known world over for his creations at the Rock Garden in Chandigarh, Nek Chand Saini’s artifacts seem to be ‘garbage’ for the National Bal Bhawan (NBB) here. His creations — presented to the NBB museum in 1988 — are now trashed along the boundary wall of the institute.
Saini is known for his sculptures created from broken pieces of sanitary, construction materials. However, to the utter shock of art lovers, a number of visitors are even seen urinating on the strewn artifacts — completely oblivious to their famed creator.
Visited by almost all the Prime Ministers on the occasion of Children’s Day, Bal Bhawan is an institution set up by the Human Resource Development Ministry (HRD) to enhance the creative potential of children.
The institute is currently mired in a controversy over the appointment of Director Usha Kumari MC. The chairperson of the NBB is Shalu Jindal, wife of Congress leader and industrialist Navin Jindal.
Meanwhile, on learning about the fate of such prized artifacts, United Kingdom-based Nek Chand Foundation expressed deep concern over the matter and termed it an “absolute disgrace” to the Padma Shri awardee.
“They repay him like this. Disgraceful. They (Bal Bhawan) do not deserve them (Nek Chand’s works) and we will have to arrange to have them taken away from them,” John Maizels, a trustee of Nek Chand foundation, told The Pioneer.
During his visit here, a few years back, John claimed he had pointed out the ill-maintained condition of the sculptures to the NBB director, and had advised him to ensure their proper preservation.
“I went there and saw the sculptures ill maintained and thus advised to the Director to return to the foundation so that it can find its dignity. The Director replied that they were all going to be mended immediately but sounds like they were lying still,” said John, in an email response.
Attempts were also made to contact 90-year-old Nek Chand Saini at his Chandigarh residence, but he could not comment due to his frail health. According to Bal Bhawan sources, Nek Chand had made about 20 statues for the NBB museum in 1988.
“Thank you for highlighting the concern about the condition of Nek Chand’s works at Bal Bhawan. We will get the condition of Nek Chand’s Bal Bhawan collection investigated,” said John Francis Cross, another trustee
The HRD Ministry is already looking into the appointment of Usha Kumari, made by former HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju, who had ignored the Ministry’s Selection Committee’s recommendation. Kumari’s predecessor, Amita Shaw, too was chargesheeted and suspended on charges of financial irregularities.