Praful Kumar Rai

He was born on 8 February 1926 in Pahar Bangru village of Bharno in Ranchi district (now Gumla district). His father's name was Pandey Ramkishor Rai and mother's name was Suchitrabala Devi. He studied Bachelor of Commerce.^[4]

He started his career as a government employee in Central Coalfields. He was also a writer and singer. His writings are published in various magazines such as Ranchi Times and All India Radio. He wrote Son Jhair (collection of stories), Barkha, Barkha Bund, Nagpuri Kavi, Awsar ni mile bujhu and Kilkila.^[5] He had a prominent role in the publication of writings in the Nagpuri language and in the formation of Nagpuri Bhasha Parishad in 1960.^[4][6]