The Hindu : Kerala News : Preserving a ‘rock’ heritage

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 22, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala

Preserving a ‘rock’ heritage

Restoration of the Malampuzha Rock Garden, the second in the country after the Nek Chand Rock Garden at Chandigarh, has begun.

Artisans of Nirmithy Kendra are engaged in the endeavour under the direct supervision of the District Tourist Promotion Council (DTPC). The State Tourism Department has sanctioned Rs.47 lakh for the renovation of the rock garden.

Earlier Prof. Anton Rajer, trustee of Nek Chand Foundation, had prepared the criteria for the actual restoration and documented it. He had brought volunteers from the Chandigarh Rock Garden who gave guidance to the local artisans here.

As part of the project, metal fencing will be installed to prevent the public from touching the statues. The ‘route path’ for visitors will be altered to prevent them from getting too close to the sculptures. Incidents of vandalism have been reported at the park. The DTPC has ensured the participation of artistes from different parts of the State in the venture. It has approached prominent artists to contribute their talent towards making the Malampuzha Rock Garden a world class tourism destination.

In 1994, the then District Collector Ajayakumar had invited Nek Chand to construct a rock garden similar to his Chandigarh garden, built in 1976. Of the original five acres allotted by the Department of Tourism, 1.5 acres near the lake was utilised by Nek Chand for the first phase of the rock garden.

Work proceeded rapidly, and on January 7, 1996, the new garden was opened to the public. Wall mosaics, undulating walls and more than 400 statues were created for the site, designed as a giant ‘labyrinth.’ The elements were linked by rock-encrusted, meandering paths from one area to another.

G. Prabhakaran

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala