Devdas Chhotray was the first vice-chancellor of Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha. His work consists of poetry, short stories, lyrics, musicals and screenplays. He wrote lyrics for more than 75 Odia movies and got Best Lyricist State Award for more than 5 times. He also recieved with Odisha Sahitya Akademi award for his contribution to literature.

Career

As Lyricist
Chhotray is known for his collaboration with Akshaya Mohanty, a pioneer in modern Odia music from the 1960s until his death in 2002, as Mohanty’s principal songwriter for film and non-film albums. Besides Akshay Mohanty other noted singers like Sandhya Mukherjee, Nirmala Mishra, Usha Uthup, Suresh Wadekar, Udit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurthy have sung Devdas Chhotray’s written songs. Most of his non-film commercial albums were released by Saregama (formerly HMV). He also wrote geetinatya for television.

As Story Writer
Indradhanura Chhai (1995), story written by Devdas Chhotray, was screened at Festival de Cannes. Biswaprakash, another film written by Chhotray was adjudged as best Regional film in International Film Festival of India and screened in Indian Panorama.

As Administrator
Devdas Chhotray was chairman of Odisha Film Development Corporation for 5 years from 1983-1989. He served as chairman of publication committee in 5th International Children’s Film Festival (1987) and deputy director, managing council of FTII, Pune.