Purandar Sarkar Sensei – Shotokan Karate Legend of India

by CA. Arijit Chakraborty
(Kolkata, India)

Sensei Purandar Sarkar, 5th Dan, is a legendary figure of Shotokan Karate in India. He is one of the first JKA India Black Belts. He won the accolade from JKA in August 1981 when Shihan Shoichi Sasaki, then 6th Dan JKA, was the head examiner. Thereafter Sarkar Sensei had an unchallenged kata and kumite track record in JKA Nationals in India and in AIKF Tournaments. He represented India in the Commonwealth Games and World Karate Tournaments and has trained under Sensei Enoeda, Sensei David 'Ticky' Donovan, Sensei Yahara, Sensei Maeda and Sensei Pemba Tamang, formerly of JKA.

Sensei Sarkar is the disciple of Sensei Anil Sinha, the pioneer of Shotokan Karate in India and living inspirations of 2 generations of karateka in India and abroad. He was one of the first disciple of Anil Sinha Sensei at YMCA Wellington branch Kolkata where he joined in 1976. The YMCA Dojo was formed in that year. Sensei Sinha, the beacon of Shotokan Karate in India is a direct disciple of the late ‘Shotokan Tiger’ K. Enoeda Sensei and the late Bob Poynton Sensei in England. He is credited to be one of the first to propagate JKA Karate in India. The YMCA dojo training under Sinha Sensei was incredibly hard, unforgiving and fostered a samurai-like atmosphere. Belt Gradings were tough, with many students failing. Sensei Sinha eventually created a group of extremely tough karate men, technically sound, strong and brimming with stamina. On the organisational level, Sinha Sensei was instrumental to set up the JKA India Branch. Through his sincere training and diligent approach, Sensei Sarkar became a quick favourite of Sensei Sinha.

Apart from being the first Indian JKA Black Belt, since 1986, Sensei Sarkar has conducted camps and classes all over the length and breadth of India. He possesses a superb karate tournament record in both JKA and AIKF which serve as an inspiration to hundreds of aspiring instructors.

Sensei Sarkar comes from an illustrious family of Yoga Masters and freedom fighters. His teaching, perfect techniques, masterful insight, dynamic interpretation and continuous R&D are perhaps unparalleled in Indian Karate-do today. He relentlessly fights for the propagation of true Karate-do without any political or financial interests. He is also highly regarded as a scientific and technology driven coach by various sports bodies in India. Sensei Sarkar has represented India in many International karate events, championships, including at Asian and Commonwealth level.

He subsequently created AISKA and is the Chief Instructor of the association. Sensei Sarkar continues teaching, training and has produced many National Champions. He believes in constant research and he actually implements the following aspects in his training and teaching;

• body mechanics
• Breathing
• physiology
• anatomical principles
• nutrition science
• student psychology etc.

Having received awards for his original contribution to karate through his constant research, Sensei Sarkar thus has a research-based innovative approach to training and teaching.

Sensei Sarkar conducted numerous Karate camps all over Eastern India in 2024, 2025 where he demonstrated his explosive techniques, mesmerising the Instructors. Sensei Sarkar continues to be a fountain of karate knowledge, passing on his ocean of experience to younger students. He follows a hard training regime, including extensive weight, cardio, resistance along with advanced Yoga, meditation etc creating a unique holistic package. Even now, in 2025, at the age of almost 68 years, he is faster than students half his age. He regularly shares glimpses of his dojo training to his avid students all over India.

Despite his tall stature, Sensei Sarkar keeps a very low profile, always approachable, helpful and humble at heart. His vibration techniques, devastating mawashi geri, mae geri, deadly kumite and legendary Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai and Gankaku katas stand out from the rest. He has always been a technical man to the core, keeping himself aside from political and organisational interests.

When we addressed him respectfully as ‘Shihan’, he disapproved and told us that he is only a Sensei, not Shihan! Such is his modesty, humility and grounded personality.

Hundreds of eager karateka have been fortunate to have trained in Shotokan Karate under his able tutelage and still continue to fine tune their techniques under his supervision. Sensei Purandar Sarkar continues to drive us with his genius and inspires us towards perfection in all our endeavours. Sensei is also associated with several social causes, NGOs and continues to add value to our society, though his continuous efforts and leadership.

We wish Sensei Sarkar, all the very best in his mission, good health and success in his karate journey and we look forward to his continued guidance in the future.