Nek Chand, born on December 15, 1924, in Berian Kalan, a village in what is now Pakistan, was a pioneering artist known for his creation of the Rock Garden of Chandigarh. His early life was marked by displacement during the partition of India in 1947. In the wake of the conflict, Chand settled in Chandigarh, which French architect Le Corbusier was building. In the process of development, numerous towns were demolished to make way for the new infrastructure.

Working as a government roads inspector in Chandigarh, Chand began transforming a small piece of land into an extensive sculpture garden in the 1950s. Utilising the rubble and detritus from the demolition, he created intricate sculptures depicting animals, humans, and fantastical creatures, blending elements of folk art, surrealism, and environmentalism. Initially unknown to many, the Rock Garden was discovered by authorities in the 1970s, leading to official support for its expansion and maintenance. Over the years, the garden grew into a sprawling complex featuring thousands of sculptures, waterfalls and winding pathways. Chand’s artistic philosophy was deeply rooted in his reverence for nature and his belief in the transformative potential of discarded materials.

As well as his stone and concrete creations, Chand also created rag dolls: The Rag Doll Museum, part of Chandigarh’s rock garden complex, contains around 200 dolls made from material collected by Chand from tailor’s shops in the 1970s. A variety of human figures, animals and mythical creatures are displayed amidst village scenes, with houses, trees and shops. They are shown engaged in activities such as cooking, celebrating festivals and weddings, smoking hukkahs, etc., and are intended to instil consciousness amongst the urban populace as to life in rural India.