Rajkamal Chaudhary (1929-1967), (also spelled as Rajkamal Chaudhari) was an Indian poet,[1] short story writer,[2] novelist, critic and thinker in Hindi, Maithili and Bangla languages. He was known as "a bold leader of new poetry"[3] and writer who "stands out differently" from most other experimentalists.[4]
Raj Kamal was born at Mahishi village in Saharsa district of Bihar. He was the eldest son of Madhusudan Choudhary, a noted scholar of his time. During his early childhood, he suffered the loss of his affectionate and caring mother. This incident left a deep imprint on his mind. After doing his graduation in commerce from Marwari college,Bhagalpur,he dedicated himself to his creative pursuits.While at Calcutta(now Kolkata) he came in touch with the Hungryalists, known also as Bhukhi Peerhi, and contributed to their bulletins. He was in close contact with Patna-based Malay Roy Choudhury, Subimal Basak and Samir Roychoudhury of the Bhukhi Peerhi movement.
Rajkamal Choudhary was undoubtedly a creative genius of multifaceted talent. In a tumultuous life that lasted for just about 38 years, he tried his hands at almost every genre, albeit unfortunately, without the measure of recognition that his outstanding talent truly merited.
Rajkamal's greatest contribution to Indian literature in general and Hindi literature in particular was his radically realistic insight into the myriad problems faced by common people. He closely observed the sutures and faults created in the natural flow of a commoner's life by the sickening humdrum of metropolitan ambience. And, without hiding anything under the garb of appealing euphemisms and velvetty symbols, he showed the courage to portray everything with a piercing straightforwardness. It is saddening to note that the true significance of his output has not been appreciated sensitively and sympathetically so far.