| Pran Kumar Sharma | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 15, 1938 Kasur, British India |
| Occupation | cartoonist |
| Known for | Creator of Chacha Chaudhary |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
Pran Kumar Sharma (born August 15, 1938), better known as Pran, is one of the most successful Indian cartoonists, best known as the creator of Chacha Chaudhary (1971).[1][2]
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Born in Kasur, now in Pakistan, [3] Pran graduated with a Master of Arts (Political Science) degree. He then completed a four-year course in Fine Arts from Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai.[2]
Pran began his career in 1960 as a cartoonist for the Delhi-based newspaper Milap with comic strip Daabu. Apart from Daabu, Indian comics scenario was largely based on reprints of The Phantom and Superman.[4] In 1969, Pran sketched Chacha Chaudhary for the Hindi magazine Lotpot, which made him famous. Pran has also created other cartoon characters like Shrimatiji, Pinki, Billoo, Raman, Channi Chachi and others, which are regularly published in Indian magazines. He was included in People of the year 1995 by Limca Book of Records for popularizing comics in India. [3] In 1983, the then Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi released Pran's comics "Raman - Ham Ek Hain" which promoted national integration. Pran received a Lifetime Achievement Award 2001, from Indian Institute of Cartoonists.[5] Pran has also given lessons in cartooning at the Pran's Media Institute, run by his son Nikhil.[1][2]
Maurice Horn, the editor of World Encyclopedia of comics, has described him as "Walt Disney of India" in World Encyclopedia of comics. The Chacha Chaudhary strips find permanent place in International Museum of Cartoon Art, USA.