Protul Chandra Sarkar (P.C. Sorcar) was born in Tangail in present day Bangladesh in 1913 on 23rd February. Born to Sri Bhagwan Chandra Sarkar and Smt. Kusum Kamini Sarkar, P.C. Sorcar was a brilliant student and completed his formal schooling in 1929 from Tangail Shibnath High School. Subsequently, he did his Intermediate in Arts from Karotia College in 1931. He took Mathematics Honors as his degree subject in Anandamohan College of Calcutta.
After appearing for his degree examination in 1933 he took up magic as his full time profession. P.C. Sorcar in 1938 married Basanti Devi, daughter of renowned medical practitioner, Dr. Pramatha Nath Majumdar of Kolkata. Basanti Devi had been the greatest source of inspiration of her husband Pratul Chandra Sorcar.
Achievements of P.C. Sorcar
Magician P.C. Sorcar brought before the world the mysticism of Indian magic. The traditional Indian magic of the Rope Trick, the X-ray eyes, and the Flying Carpet were given a new dimension by P.C. Sorcar. With his efforts he put India very firmly in the magic world. What amazed audiences was that P.C. Sorcar’s magic were just not tricks, but a rare and marvelous combination of art and science.
P.C. Sorcar’s rise to fame was not an easy task. He not only had to break the barriers of traditional disbelief but also overcome international skepticism. This was possible by his unconventional approach of his shows which involved bold posters, colorful attires,
tastefully designed apparatus and extraordinary stage settings.
P.C. Sorcar performed in U.S.A., Canada, U.K., Russia,
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France, Germany, Japan, Australia and New Zealand from which countries he received lots of accolades and honors.
During his lifetime P.C. Sorcar had written a number of books on magic, namely: 100 Magic You Can Do, Magic For You, More Magic For You, Sorcar on Magic, Mesmerism, History of Magic, Hindu Magic, Hypnotism and so on.
P. C. Sorcar Awards
In recognition of his efforts in establishing India firmly in the world of magic, the Indian Government awarded the “Padmashri” in 1964. His other credentials include:
- The Sphinx ( Nobel Prize in Magic) in USA – In 1946, 1954
- The Golden Laurel in Germany – In 1956
- The Royal Medallion from German Magic Circle
- The Governor’s Medal from State of Bengal – In 1943
- National Honor from All Bengal Reception Committee, India – In 1958
- Civic Honor from Calcutta Corporation – In 1958
- Gold Medal from Soviet Circus College – In 1962
- Honorary Member of New Zealand National and International Magic Association, Japan Magic Association, Australian Society of Magicians, Great Britain Lister Magic Association, France Magic Circle, Germany Magic Association, Belgium Magic Circle
Legendary P.C. Sorcar expired of a heart attack in 1971, on 6th January, in Ashaikawa in Hokkaido, Japan at the age of 58 years.
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