Tin Men Square

Blame it on Nek Chand,creator of the iconic Rock Garden,because ever since city-based mechanical engineer Pritpal Matharu laid his eyes on the man’s unique artistic creation,he was awed,and inspired. On the lines of what Nek Chand did,Matharu made full use of all the leftover scrap collected at his workshop,which is located in Industrial Area. Matharu then started forging and welding wrought iron stands. But the masterpiece was yet to come,and this year,Matharu got down to raise an army of sorts,all in metal.

Standing tall in the centre,copper-gold spray painted,with a spiked crown and a flowing black cape,the King looked magnificent even if he is made of discarded nuts,bolts,wipers,plugs and cycle pedals. His army stands in the rank,as if ready to move and attack. “This is practical engineering at its best,” says Matharu with a laugh. His robots may not have batteries yet,but they come across as striking pieces of art,sculpted from mechanical and electrical waste.

As he points at the spare parts used in the process — blades,sparkplugs,wires,screws,car horns,skates,old connecting rods,discarded engine parts,cycle parts,scooter parts,and old mixers and blenders — he talks about how his workers put them all aside for him,and encourage him to build more of these “tin men”.

“It’s not easy,” he adds,for one needs to have a thorough knowledge of welding and metallurgy. One also needs discipline to finish what’s been started. All set to display his artwork at the St John’s Old Boys Association’s annual reunion ball this year,Matharu says the pieces are not for sale,yet. “This is labour of love,and let’s see how the city responds,” he says.