chandigarh in the backdrop of the sultry cheer of iconic week celebrations at leisure valley the story of chandigarhs birth was narrated in sepia tones through photographs clicked decades ago aptly titled chandigarh down memory lane the exhibition organised by the department of cultural affairs chandigarh administration and chandigarh lalit kala akademi as part of iconic week celebrations showcased vintage photographs of chandigarh in its nascent stages the photographs conjured up memories spanning decades one photograph took visitors back in time to when sector 22 was a village with a well dominating the landscape women with pots on their heads and children in tow cut a stark contrast with the present pictured in black and white sector 17 plaza had all the makings of a noted commercial centre coupled with the delightful oldworld tranquility that its few visitors could barely disturb a beaming youth stood in front of a picture of the government school in sector 10 where the first session of the assembly was held he had no idea that his alma mater had history associated with it it makes me so proud i wish i knew about it as a student said armaan bali now a hotel management student besides celebrating the feat of the architects who visualized the city beautiful the photos also captured the genius of unknown model makers who carved life into the architects creations without being able read the drawings in english a photograph of a large crowd gathered to watch the amitabh bachchan and rekha starrer silsila evoked nostalgic smiles amrit kaur supervisor at women and child helpline ut took a picture of the photographs and said these photos mean a lot to all those like me who love chandigarh the story of chandigarhs birth is one we can never tire of i am proud of my city and its unique heritage meanwhile iconic week celebrations of azadi ka amrit mahotsav came to an end in chandigarh on sunday the festival which started on march 6 was well received by tricity residents on the final day artists put on their best performance tricity residents lived glimpses of dances and acrobatics from other parts of the country stilt and tightrope walkers kept the audience enthralled close to their riveting performances a group of artists displayed their remarkable talent at capturing the likeness of people on paper their charcoal pencil sketches some of which were movie stills reflected nuanced expressions dancers and actors showcasing folk art froms in bright costumes performed to the beat of drums in the backgrounda display of weapons used from the dawn of human civilisation to recent wars was captivating curious onlookers tried to visualise the stories behind the deadly metal on display rescue and first aid equipment used by the forces was also featured the tourism department organised a musical evening on the last day in which ut administrator dharam pal was the chief guest the final day started with a cycle rally under which the sports department organised