The creator of Chacha Chaudhary, Mr. Pran Kumar Sharma, better know as PRAN is no more. Born on August 15, 1938 in Kasur near Lahore, he graduated with a BA from Gwalior and Master of Arts (Political Science) degree from evening Camp College, Delhi, affiliated to Punjab University.
He then completed a four-year course in Fine Arts from Sir JJ School of Arts, Mumbai.
Pran began his career in 1960 as a cartoonist for the Delhi-based newspaper Milap with comic strip Daabu. 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.
In 1983, the then Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi released Pran's comics "Raman - Hum Ek Hain" which promoted national integration. Pran received a Lifetime Achievement Award 2001, from Indian Institute of Cartoonists. Pran has also given lessons in cartooning at the Pran's Media Institute, run by his son Nikhil.
Maurice Horn notes that Pran has been given the title of "Walt Disney of India" in The World Encyclopedia of Comics.
