‘Mahua Sen’s first-ever translation of this controversial Hindi novel is laudable for its accomplished narrative, and also for setting a new direction for gender studies.’
—Malashri Lal
Author, Critic and Former Professor of English, University of Delhi

‘The success of Mahua Sen’s translation lies in finding a middle way between a tiresomely faithful and beautiful rendition of the text. Those who have read Rajkamal in the original will appreciate this.’
—Anamika
Poet, Social Worker, Novelist

‘Translated into English for the first time by Mahua Sen, The Dead Fish approximates the original Hindi text in every department. It is an eminently readable translation, faithful and flawless.’
—Arun Kamal
Hindi Poet and Critic

Rajkamal Choudhary (1929–67) was an Indian poet, short story writer, novelist, critic and thinker. He wrote in both Maithili and Hindi and was well-versed in Bengali, having translated Shankar’s Chourangi and Bani Ray’s Chokhe Amar Trishna into Hindi. Choudhary was known as ‘a bold leader of new poetry’ for his experimental style. He was born Manindra Narayan Choudhary in Mahishi, Bihar, and people affectionately called him Phool Babu.

In his short lifespan of less than 38 years, he contributed more than one hundred short stories, several novels and plays, dozens of articles and essays, and hundreds of poems. Choudhary emerged as a monumental writer in his mother tongue, Maithili, as well as in Hindi.

He was one of the most iconic literary figures of his time, a trailblazer, a trendsetter and a visionary whose works resonate even today.

Mahua Sen is an author, poet and translator. A recipient of the Reuel International Poetry Prize, the Poesis Award for Excellence in Literature, and the Poet of the Year (2022) award by Ukiyoto Publishing, her recent book Nostalgia Crafting a Home Within (Red River)—an Amazon bestseller in Asian Literature—garnered the prestigious Maharshi Ved Vyas International Award for Poetry in 2024. The book was also shortlisted for the Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards.

For Mahua, writing is synonymous with breathing, and literature serves as a compass, guiding her through the promenade of existence. In the echoes of literature, she finds her voice.

Mahua is a management professional and lives in Hyderabad with her family.