Kamlesh Bhatt Kamal
Mr. Kamlesh Bhatt Kamal, a multifaceted literary figure, stands as a beacon of Hindi poetry, writing, and literary criticism. Born on February 13, 1959 (or July 5, 1958, according to school records) in the culturally rich district of Sultanpur, near the holy city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Kamlesh’s work is a reflection of his deep-rooted connection to the spiritual and historical legacy of his birthplace.
An accomplished academic, Kamlesh earned his M.Sc. in Mathematical Statistics in 1979 from the renowned Lucknow University. His professional journey led him to the Uttar Pradesh Department of Commercial Taxes, where he held various positions and retired as Additional Commissioner in July 2018. Kamlesh’s career was based in the ancient city of Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest living cities, which also became a major source of inspiration for his literary works.
Kamlesh Prakash’s literary journey is deeply influenced by his interactions with some of the most legendary writers and poets of Hindi literature, such as Mahadevi Verma, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Dr. Ram Kumar Verma, Upendra Nath Ashk, and Gopal Das Neeraj. His poetry spans a wide range of genres, including Ghazals, short stories, travelogues, children’s literature, and critical essays, with over 30 publications to his name. His works have earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Soor Award, Nirala Award, Sarjana Award, Agyeya Award, and the Balbir Singh Rang Sarjana Award. Kamlesh has also been honored with several other accolades such as the Parivesh Samman, Arya Smriti Samman, and the Samanvay Srujan Samman, among many others.
Beyond poetry, Kamlesh’s commitment to preserving and promoting literature is evident in his role as a trustee of the Kashi-Varanasi Virasat Foundation and his active involvement as the academic convenor for various literary festivals, including the Kashi-Varanasi Literature Festival and the India Literature and Media Festivals in Mumbai and Chennai. His influence extends to the media, having appeared as a guest editor and participated in various broadcasts, including All India Radio and Doordarshan, where his compositions have reached audiences far and wide.
Kamlesh’s literary contributions have not only resonated with readers in India but also gained international attention, with translations of his work in English, Marathi, Nepali, Urdu, Bengali, and Sinhalese. His travelogues, inspired by his journeys to Nepal, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, and the UAE, offer readers a glimpse into the cultural tapestries of these regions.
A true advocate for the literary community, Kamlesh continues to inspire with his profound works, his commitment to preserving literary heritage, and his passion for fostering the literary voices of the future. His legacy is one of blending tradition with innovation, offering a poetic dialogue that transcends time and space.