A wizard of animation, this pioneering man brought the Indian version of the classic techno-craft knocking heavily on the West’s door. Meet Manick Sorcar, the internationally acclaimed animator, laserist and electrical engineer.

The luminous laser further gave him that coveted platform where he could combine art with science and use the beam of light as a magical paintbrush to create art and animation. Based out of Denver, Colorado in the USA, Sorcar springs a pleasant surprise which may cause a gamut of wannabe countrywide animators, graphic artistes and cyber designers leap with joy. Introducing a first-time laser animation technology course at the Kolkata-based Jadavpur University, this master Indo-American artist, magician, engineer and entrepreneur sounds pretty upbeat at the development. “This is exciting as the recent departmental launch at the varsity has been a maiden move on the national educational map. The discipline will be a special application of lighting in an M.Tech course in illumination engineering,” he says. The laser-maker also offers a helping hand to establish a well-furnished hi-tech laser laboratory and an expert faculty of electrical engineers as the teaching staff to train a batch of avid aspirants on how to use the technology and create laser animation.
Travelling extensively around the world, Sorcar keeps busy with his show commitments. Despite his choc-a-bloc schedule, he is elated about the fact that this one-of-a-kind technical course has been first introduced in his hometown. But the ball was originally set rolling a couple of years ago when the seeds of an interaction between the IT (Information Technology) minister and Sorcar over an acquisition of land to construct a sophisticated animation park were sown. “I had a brief interaction with the state IT Minister Debesh Das discussing the possibility of sanctioning a sprawling plot of over five acres, situated in a peaceful corner. But, owing to logistical reasons, the plan did not work out. It would have been a dream project,” he says. “All I wanted to set up was a well-furnished laser galaxy of international standards in the conceptual shape of a hospital, wherein aspiring students and interning doctors would diligently see and learn hands-on in laboratories from a skilled battery of exponent laserists and animators, only to improvise upon it further in the future,” he says.
Admitting that although India is an emerging nuclear and economic superpower, it has joined the animation fray a little late in the day, Sorcar insists that the entire world is waxing eloquent about the immense productivity, efficacious skills and creative aesthetics noticed among a school of persevering Indian animators. “We have just been able to put a foot inside the door. But ww haven’t yet crossed the threshold to sneak in. Let’s see where we stand in the long run. The point is, animation technology in the West has grown in leaps and bounds over the years through entertainment, science, mechanics, medical, engineering and other advanced sectors of application. Now, it’s the subcontinent’s turn,” he says, adding, “This cutting-edge technology can be used for digital artistry, animation, live shows, magic shows and largescale theatrical effects as well.”
The constituents of the planned theme park would house planetariums, museums and architectural applications in art galleries, shopping malls and convention centres, thus paving the way for a kiosk of novel and unconventionally exciting career opportunities. “My ultimate goal is to lay out a spread of spectacular extravaganza with laser art exhibits, live action displays, bright-hued fountains with water-screen projections, et al. Imagine a surge of springwater swelling as high as 60-70 feet (equivalent to a towering highrise) into a semi-circle dome with colourful rays like a peacock’s tail dancing around in rhyme with the musical tunes playing behind,” he says.
Discussing the rationale behind starting the institute in India, Sorcar says, “Indian animators are frequently outsourced to set a benchmark of excellence on foreign shores. As a result, their adeptness and creative output have always reaped laurels at prestigious events, including the Oscars! So, why should we let this brain-drain of talent continue from within the national boundaries? We must tap and harness our own homegrown assets with proper support and standard education,” he points out.
With an aim to induct animation and laser technology at the grassroots, Sorcar, however, agrees that it requires an assortment of very delicately-handled expensive equipment — only accessible at exorbitant rates — to build up a laser lab and operate it. Ask him about his future engagements and he talks about an impending show in Colorado (US), come August 2011. All roads will lead to the globally-famous
Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival 2011. “Definitely, it’s got to be a gala treat to watch out for. And why not? A humongous horde of over 10,000 spectators are expected to hit the haven!” he signs off.