Rahat Khan facts for kids

Rahat Khan (born December 19, 1940 – died August 28, 2020) was a famous journalist and writer from Bangladesh. He wrote more than 32 novels during his life. He received important awards for his work. These include the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1973 and the Ekushey Padak in 1996. These awards were given by the Government of Bangladesh.

Early Life and Education

Rahat Khan was born on December 19, 1940, in a place called Kishoreganj District. When he was in third grade, he wrote his very first story. He once shared how it happened. A kite suddenly grabbed a small tortoise right in front of him. This event made him very sad. He felt like he had to write about it. That's how his journey as a writer began.

Khan studied economics and philosophy at Ananda Mohan College. Later, he earned his master's degree in Bangla Language and Literature. This was from the University of Dhaka in 1961. For the next eight years, he taught Bangla language. He taught at different colleges, including Jagannath College in Dhaka.

Career as a Journalist and Writer

In 1969, Rahat Khan started working at The Daily Ittefaq. This was a popular newspaper written in the Bangla language. He began as an assistant editor. He worked at this newspaper for over 40 years. Eventually, he became its main editor.

In 1972, Khan published his first collection of short stories. It was called Onischito Lokaloy, which means Uncertain Human Habitation. The next year, he won the Bangla Academy Literary Award for his short stories. He wrote more story collections like Ontohin Jatra (The Eternal Journey). He also wrote Bhalo Monder Taka (Money for Good and Evil). In 1983, he published Apel Songbad (News of the Apple).

In the early 1980s, his first novel came out. It was named Omol Dhobol Chakri, meaning Milk-White Service. He kept writing many novels through the 1990s.

After leaving Ittefaq, Khan worked as an advisory editor for another newspaper, Dainik Bartoman. He also served on the board of directors for the national news agency. This agency is called Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). In March 2016, he was chosen to be the chairman of the BSS board for two and a half years.

Themes in His Works

Rahat Khan's novels often explored the lives of people in the middle and upper classes. These stories usually took place in the city of Dhaka. However, some of his novels, like Omol Dhobol Chakri, also showed village life.

He also wrote about important historical events. These included Ekushe February and the Bangladesh Liberation War. He covered these topics in books such as Hey Matoh Bong and Hey Mohasunyota.

Novels

• Omol Dhobol Chakuri (Milk-White Service, 1982)
• Ek Priyodorshini (A Beautiful Woman, 1983)
• Chayadompoti (A Shadow Couple, 1984)
• Sangharsha (Clash, 1984)
• Shahar (The City, 1984)
• Hey Onanter Pakhi (O, Bird of Infinity, 1989)
• Modhyomather Khelowar (The Forward Footballer, 1991)
• Akhanksha (Desire)
• Kayekjan (A Few Persons)
• Ognidaho (Conflagration)

Awards

Rahat Khan received many awards for his writing. Here are some of them:

• Bangla Academy Literary Award (1973) for his short stories
• Sufi Motahar Hossain Award (1979)
• Mahbubullah Zebunnesa Trust Award (1979)
• Abul Mansur Memorial Award (1980)
• Humayun Qadir Memorial Award (1982)
• Shuhrid Literary Award (1975)
• Trayi Literary Award (1988)
• Cetana Literary Award (1989)
• Ekushey Padak (1996)

See also

In Spanish: Rahat Khan para niños