Devdas Chhotray, born on 25 November 1946, is a poet, and also a writer of short stories, screenplays and film lyrics. Educated at Ravenshaw College, Cuttack and Cornnel University in the USA, he is a member of the Indian Administrative Service, and also the first Vice Chancellor of the Ravenshaw University. His sustained association with film societies and film schools such as the Celluloid Chapter in Jamshedpur, and the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune is evident.