Pran Kumar Sharma facts for kids

Pran Kumar Sharma (born August 15, 1938 – died August 5, 2014) was a famous Indian cartoonist. Most people knew him simply as Pran. He is best known for creating the popular comic character Chacha Chaudhary in 1971. He also created many other beloved characters like Shrimatiji, Pinki, Billoo, Raman, and Channi Chachi.

Early Life and Learning

Pran was born in a place called Kasur in British India, which is now part of Pakistan. He studied hard and earned a college degree (BA) from Gwalior. Later, he got another degree in Political Science from Delhi. He also started a five-year course in Fine Arts from Sir J. J. School of Art in Mumbai through distance learning. He wanted to become a drawing teacher, but he did not finish this course.

Pran's Amazing Career

Pran started his career as a cartoonist in 1960. He worked for a newspaper in Delhi called Milap. His first comic strip was named Daabu. Back then, most Indian comics were just reprints of foreign comics like The Phantom and Superman.

Creating Chacha Chaudhary

In 1969, Pran drew a new character for a Hindi magazine called Lotpot. This character was Chacha Chaudhary, and he quickly became very famous! Chacha Chaudhary is known for his super-sharp brain, which works faster than a computer.

Other Popular Characters

Pran created many other cartoon characters that were loved by kids and adults across India. These include Shrimatiji, Pinki, Billoo, Raman, and Channi Chachi. These comics were regularly published in Indian magazines. Pran's comics even reached many people who spoke Kannada, with characters like Putti, Raman, and Shrimathi appearing in local newspapers and magazines.

Awards and Recognition

Pran was recognized for making comics popular in India. In 1983, the Prime Minister of India at that time, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, even released one of his comics. It was called "Raman - Ham Ek Hain" and it helped promote the idea of national unity in India.

In 1995, the Limca Book of Records named him one of the "People of the Year" for his work. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 from the Indian Institute of Cartoonists. Pran even taught cartooning at a school run by his son, Nikhil.

Many people called Pran the "Walt Disney of India" because of his huge impact on Indian comics. His Chacha Chaudhary comic strips are so important that they are kept in the International Museum of Cartoon Art in the United States.

His Passing

Pran had been battling colon cancer. He passed away on August 5, 2014, in a hospital in Gurgaon. He was 75 years old. After he passed away, he was given the Padma Shri award in 2015. This is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive in India.

See also

In Spanish: Pran Kumar Sharma para niños