Rifat Kamal Saif

Source: Photo: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo

In the year 2009, Rifat Kamal Saif, a student of Marketing in Independent University, Bangladesh, thought of going through some of the books written by his uncle (uncles name). “Writing has been a part of my family for generations.” And thus, Rifat's journey into the world of literature began.
While studying in The British School and then doing his O and A Levels in private, Rifat had never really planned on writing, let alone publishing books. Instead, he was involved with other activities that ultimately gave him the courage and strength to give writing a shot.
“I have been a part of the non-profit organisation- 1 Degree Initiative, for a long time,” says Rifat. “I have been a part of their projects like '1 degree challenge.' Working with the organisation has helped me develop my skills in many ways. I have utilised my talents to the fullest and learned how to get them appreciated by others and also myself.” Along with community service, Rifat also has a knack for photography which earned him published works in papers like The Independent and Shomokal.

In 2010, he hit his stride as a writer and won two awards- the Ananda Alo award and the Chotoder Alo award, for his first book 'Bhoot er Paye Boot', a compilation of 16 short stories, from Anannya Publishers.
From then on, Rifat has been writing at least one book a year and has sold many copies of them in the Ekushey Grantha Mela held every February.
In 2011 he wrote his book 'Bhombol Oh Onanno Golpo” published by Anannya Publishers. In 2012, he wrote his first coloured book- 'Emon Oh Choroi Pakhi.' In 2013, he wrote the book 'Modelling, Painting Ebong Aarshan' published by Anannya Publishers. This year, his books- 'Circus er Ticket Oh Chhoto Chhoto Golpo' (Shomoy Publishers) and 'Aroni Jokhon Pori Hoye Jaye' (Anannya Publishers) can be found at the Ekushey Boi Mela. Rifat has also translated 'Meghna Oh Pakhi Bondhu', a children's literature to English, originally written in Bangla by Faridur Reza Sagor.
“Earlier, I had no idea that I could write,” exclaims Rifat. “I now want to continue writing.” His area of interest, quite evidently, is writing literature for the young, whether fiction or fantasy. “I always want to write for children because it's easy to connect with them,” says Rifat. “Their imagination is vivid and spontaneous, and I feel just that, when I write. It's a different kind of joy.”