Poet, playwright, lyricist cum recitation artist, Akash Dutta (born 17 September 1983) hails from Krishnanagar, a heritage place renowned for quintessential Bengali art, literature and culture. Founder of Kalaswar, a centre for Bengali recitation, Akash has also founded Kalaswargatha, another centre for experimenting with the art of recitation. He has released a number of recitation albums including Biddhwa Karo Ishane, Krishnakalike Premer Kabita and Pradakshin. With Susmita, a vocal artist, he has cut albums fusing songs and recitations including Jalangi Janapader Kabi and Swaruper Ektara. Aloukik Asukh was his first book of poems. Akash is the writer-director of a number of recitation-dramas including Subhra Agun, Mutho Jaler Mandas, Nonajaler Karonga. He has also written lyrics for many postmodern Bengali songs. In 2018 Akash was conferred with the prestigious Niladrisekhar Basu Memorial Award (for his innovative approach to the art of recitation as a young recitation artist) by Paschimbanga Kabita Academy.