Journalism of Courage
PC Sorcar Jr speaks about 100 years of Indrajal,and his passion for magic.
When PC Sorcar Jr takes out a Rs 10 note from his wallet,we dont expect a banal magic trick. Instead,he wistfully looks at the amount on the note in different languages and says,almost tearfully,Im proud to be an Indian. For nine generations,the Kolkata-based Sorcar gharana has a certain class in the field of magic,feeding on the romanticism and mysticism of India. Yet,unlike the fakirs and mystics,the Sorcars have stressed on the two intertwined forces of magic and science. Today,the 66-year-old professional magician celebrates 100 years of one of his oldest and large-scale acts,Indrajal,with a month-long performance at Delhis FICCI Auditorium.
A conversation with the duo inevitably steers to the history of magic in India. Sorcar familys recorded history,says Maneka,goes back to a reference in Jahangir-nama,when a group of magicians performed for emperor Jahangir. Impressed by magician Krishna Chandra Deo ,he asked him if he wants a tohfa (gift). Deo,in return,asked for social recognition, says Maneka. Gifted a piece of sarkari land,Deo adopted the name Sarkar,which the seventh generation PC Sorcar changed it to what it is now. The association with Sorcar is instant sorcery, says Maneka.
Those who have grown up in India in the 20th century immediately associate magic with late Padma Shri-awardee,PC Sorkar. My grandfather took magic to a much higher pedestal than before. From the idea of half-naked fakirs on the streets,he emerged as the bejewelled maharaja of magic. A voice was given to this art form, says Maneka.
The family rues how magic has been misused by godmen and TV serials that aim to expose magic acts. The mention of the former immediately shifts our attention to Sorcar Jrs fingers,laden with rings. These rings were given to me when my father had a heart attack in 1971 in Japan. It was his way to tell me to continue the legacy, says Sorcar Jr.
But he remains optimistic about the future of professional magicians. Much of it depends on the viewers who are more educated now. And by educated,I dont mean educationally qualified. I mean people who understand the nuances of this art form, he says.
Apart from the running shows,theres a biopic on Sorcar Jr in the making,the finer details about which are under wraps at the moment. For now,however,the magician sees his life as a fairytale. Most of them usually end with a happily ever after. For us,that is the beginning, says Sorcar Jr.
