Chandigarh's first chief architect M N Sharma dies at age 93

The first chief architect of Chandigarh, M N Sharma, who worked with legendary Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier, passed away at the age of 93.
Sharma died of a cardiac attack here yesterday.
A graduate from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Sharma was associated with Chandigarh's first plan started by architectural firm Mathew Nowicki and Albert Mayer.
He joined the Capitol project here in June 1950 and worked with the American team for the first master plan.
"In 1951, he joined the team of the architects led by Le Corbusier. After the exit of (Swiss architect) Pierre Jeanerret in 1965, it was Sharma who was handed over the baton by Corbusier," an official release said here today.

Sharma was instrumental in the design of the second phase of development of Chandigarh during his tenure from 1965-1979.
Condoling Sharma's demise, Parimal Rai, adviser to the Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh, said, "It seems that the architectural umbilical cord of Chandigarh, connecting the birth of the City Beautiful with Corbusier has finally snapped. It's a sad day for Chandigarh."
"Sharma was the recipient of many national and international awards for his valuable contribution, including the award of the Institute of Life (France) for creating the best environment for the common man, in 1973," the release said.