Lutfor Rahman Riton is a Bangladeshi writer of
young adult
A young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages of human development significantly influencing the definition of ...
and
children's literature
Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. Modern children's literature is classified in two different ways: genre or the intended age of the reader.
Children's ...
.
He earned
Bangla Academy Literary Award
The Bangla Academy Literary Award ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি সাহিত্য পুরস্কার; ''Bangla Academy Shahitya Puroshkar''), is given by the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh in recognition of creative genius i ...
for his contribution to children's literature in 2007.
He is best known as a rhymester.
[
]
Early life and education
Riton attended Nawabpur Government High School, Dhaka College
Dhaka College ( bn, ঢাকা কলেজ also known as DC) is the oldest secular educational institution of Bangladesh located in Dhaka. It offers higher secondary education ( HSC). It has Honours and Masters programs as well which are aff ...
and the University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka (also known as Dhaka University, or DU) is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the oldest university in Bangladesh. The university opened its doors to students on July 1st 1921. Currently i ...
.[
]
Career
Riton's work was first published in the newspaper The Daily Ittefaq
''The Daily Ittefaq'' ( bn, দৈনিক ইত্তেফাক, translit. ''Doinik Ittefak'') is a Bengali-language daily newspaper. Founded in 1953, it is the oldest newspaper, and one of the most circulated newspapers in Bangladesh. Thi ...
.[ He started writing for adults and young readers in the early 1980s. As a professional writer, he first took up the pen and wrote rhymes against rajakars in 1979. He published a book called ''"Rajakar er Chhora"'' in 1990 which was highly appreciated by readers. Thus far, Riton has more than a hundred books published. He has been honored with numerous awards for his work. He received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2007 which is considered to be the highest honor and recognition in Bengali Literature. Sikandar Abu Zafar Award (1982), Agnari Bank Children's Literature Award (1982 & 1996), Dhaka University Award (1984), Dadabhai Children's Literature Award (1999), City-Ananda Alo Literature Award (2011) and Annadashankar Award (2011) are also some of the awards that he received for his contribution in Bengali literature. He also received Television Artists and Writers Association award for writing drama series and screenplays for children.]
One of Riton's unusual short story for children, ''"Tokai Amin Tokai Beral"'' (Ragpicker Amin Ragpicker Pussy Cat), was translated in English from Bangla by the National Professor of Bangladesh, Kabir Chowdhury (b.1923). In his note Professor Kabir Chowdhury wrote —''“Riton in his work captures our socio-political milieu in a manner that is at once amusing and disturbing. It is replete with humorous anecdotes, satiric observations, tender situations as well as intriguing ones created by power-hungry crooked political leaders. Ragpicker Amin Ragpicker Pussy Cat is a tale told well, a realistic tale, although at places it is reminiscent of Lewis Carrol’s inimitable fantasy Alice in wonderland. Riton’s prose is smooth flowing, his plot well-constructed, his humour spontaneous and his satire free from malice and bitterness. Ragpicker Amin Ragpicker Pussy Cat does not belong to the traditional category of children’s literature. It is an unusual work which, hopefully, both adults and youngsters will enjoy."''
Riton played a major role as a planner and writer in the ''Meena Development Project'' (1997) which was part of the UNICEF campaign created for equal rights and education for children, specifically female children. Riton played a key role in this movement. UNICEF published an audio CD, cassette and book about Meena ''“Amra Shobai Meenar Moto”'' that was written, scripted and directed by Riton in 2000. He worked as the First Secretary (Press) at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo, Japan (2001-2002).
Riton is also a member of the Bangladesh Liberation Museum and a fellow of Bangla Academy. He worked as a presenter and a host for many shows on Bangladesh Television (BTV). He was an elected council member of Bangla Academy (1999-2000). He started his career as a journalist and worked for various daily, weekly, bi-weekly and monthly magazines as reporter, sub-editor and executive editor. He was the editor and publisher of the monthly ''"Chhotoder Kagoj"'', that he created for children (1995-2001). He was also the founder editor of the monthly ''"Ashonno"'', published from Bissho Shahitto Kendro (World Literature Center), that was created for young adults. His first book for adults was published in 1984. In 1987 and 1989, two of his plays ''"Jhontu-Pontu"'' and ''"Hoi-Choi"'' aired on Bangladesh Television
Bangladesh Television ( bn, বাংলাদেশ টেলিভিশন), commonly known by its acronym BTV ( bn, বিটিভি), is the state-owned television network of Bangladesh. The network was originally established as the East ...
(BTV).
One of Riton's most notable works is ''"Keu Keu Abiram Chupi Chupi"'', the title song of the television entertainment show Ittyadi
''Ityadi'' ( bn, ইত্যাদি; en, "Et Cetera") is a popular magazine television programme in Bangladesh created and presented by Hanif Sanket that airs on Bangladesh Television. It is the longest running show on Bangladeshi television ...
.[
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Personal life
Riton resides in Canada with his wife Sharly Rahman and daughter Sabrina Sharmin Nody.[
]
Awards
* Sikandar Abu Zafar Award (1982)[
* Agrani Bank Children's Literature Award (1982 and 1996)
* Dhaka University Award (1984)
* Dadabhai Children's Literature Award (1999)
* ]Bangla Academy Literary Award
The Bangla Academy Literary Award ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি সাহিত্য পুরস্কার; ''Bangla Academy Shahitya Puroshkar''), is given by the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh in recognition of creative genius i ...
(2007)
* City-Ananda Alo Literature Award (2011)
* Annada Shankar Ray Award (2011)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Riton, Lutfor Rahaman
Living people
Bangladeshi male poets
Recipients of Bangla Academy Award
Dhaka College alumni
University of Dhaka alumni
Year of birth missing (living people)