P.C. Sorcar remembered
with issuance of stamp

The late Protul Chandra Sorcar, a magician from India better known as P.C. Sorcar Sr., once said, "When asleep I breathe magic; when awake I work magic." Even in death, the acclaimed magician who brought the magic of India to the rest of the world, is still reaching audiences -- this time through the issuance of a stamp bearing his likeness.

The Department of Posts in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, issued the commemorative Sorcar stamp on Feb. 23, 2010, the 98th anniversary of the legendary performer's birth.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who was present on the occasion, said, “I have come to pay my respects to the memory of such a person who was not just popular amongst the people of our country, but also had earned great admiration and regard in the international arena,” according to a report on the Daily News & Analysis-India Web site. (Read More)

The stamp depicts Sorcar his hands outstretched weaving the ‘indrajal," the web of illusion, according to the site.

Sorcar was born Feb. 23, 1913, and he died after suffering a heart attack in Japan on Jan. 6, 1971. He was 58 when he died in Ashaikawa, Hokkaidō, Japan, where he was performing, according to Wikipedia.

Sorcar was born into a family of magicians of seven generations, according to the International Library of the Great P.C. Sorcar Web site. From his days as a child, Sorcar found magic to be the passion of his life, which he took up as a full time profession after he sat for his B.A. degree tests in 1933.

The Magic Portal staff wishes to express our appreciation to Salil Kumar “Solyl” Kundu, I.B.M. Territorial Vice President for Northern India, for bringing this to our attention.