Protul Chandra Sorcar (23 February 19136 January 1971) was an Indian magician. He was an internationally active magician throughout the 1950s and 1960s, performing his Indrajal show before live audiences and on television. Sorcar died of a heart attack at the age of 57 in Asahikawa, Hokkaidō, Japan, on 6 January 1971, where he was performing. Career At the age of 21, Sorcar decided to give up formal education (he was likely to study to become an engineer), and decided to become a conjuror despite the profession's low esteem in India. Sorcar became famous in the mid-1930s, when he performed shows in Kolkata and also in Japan and several other countries. Among other routines, he performed a Floating Lady routine featuring aerial suspension in 1964. Ganapati Chakraborty was his mentor. In 1956, he performed the sawing a woman in half illusion on the BBC's Panorama program. His self-appointed title was "The World's Greatest Magician". Sorcar died in Japan in 1971. Personal life Sorcar was married to Basanti Devi. They were the parents of the animator, director and laserist Manick Sorcar and magicians P. C. Sorcar Jr. and P. C. Sorcar, Young. Awards Jadusamrat P.C. Sorcar Sarani The Government of India has named a major street in Calcutta after him Padma Shri (the Lotus), awarded by the President of India on 26 January 1964 The Sphinx (Oscar of Magic), US, 1946 and 1954 The Royal Medallion, German Magic Circle Postage stamp On 23 February 2010, India Post issued a commemorative stamp to honour him. Publications Magic for You (1966) More Magic for You (1965) History of Magic (1970) Indian Magic (1983) See also Indian magicians References External links P.C. Sorcar International Library 1913 births 1971 deaths Historians of magic Indian magicians Artists from Kolkata Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts People from Tangail District P.C. Ananda Mohan College alumni