Pran Kumar Sharma, widely known as Pran, was the creative genius behind the iconic cartoon character Chacha Chaudhary. Pran, a renowned Indian cartoonist, also brought to life a host of other beloved characters, including Channi Chachi, Raman, Billoo, Pinki, and Shrimatiji.
Early Life of the Creator
Born on August 15, 1938, in Kasur, British India, Pran pursued his education, earning a BA degree from Gwalior and a Master of Arts in Political Science from evening Camp College, Delhi. He enrolled in the Sir J J School of Art as a private student in Delhi, studying fine arts. Although he didn’t complete the course, his artistic journey was just beginning.
The Birth of Chacha Chaudhary
In 1960, Pran embarked on his career as a cartoonist, starting with the comic strip “Daabu” for the Delhi-based weekly Milap. However, it was in 1969 that he achieved widespread recognition when he introduced Chacha Chaudhary in the Hindi magazine “Lotpot.”
A Creator of National and Regional Appeal
Pran’s creative talents weren’t limited to Hindi-speaking regions. He endeared himself to Kannadigas by introducing characters like Putti and Raman, published in the Kannada daily Prajavani and Shrimathi.
Awards and Recognition
Pran Kumar Sharma received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Institute of Cartoonists in 2001. He was also named “People of the Year 1995” by the Limca Book of Records for his contributions to promoting comics in India.
Legacy and Passing
Pran, the man who captured the hearts of many with his beloved character Chacha Chaudhary, lost his battle with cancer and passed away on August 6, 2014, at the age of 75. He is survived by his son and daughter.
Chacha Chaudhary’s Return for a Purpose
In a creative initiative to educate children about the importance of voting, the Election Commission of India has incorporated iconic comic characters like Chacha Chaudhary, Raaka, Sabu, Billoo, and Dhamaka Singh. Through engaging comic strips shared on their X handle (formerly Twitter), the ECI aims to captivate children’s attention and instill the value of voting in them.
Additionally, based on Pran’s popular comic book “Chacha Chaudhary,” the Election Commission of India launched a book titled “Chacha Chaudhary aur Chunavi Dangal” on September 20. This initiative seeks to empower children with knowledge about the electoral process and the significance of voting.
