Ritwik Thakur

Ritwik Thakur (born 4 February 1960) is an Indian poet.
Early life
Born at Ramrikdas Haralalka Hospital at Bhawanipur at South Calcutta on 4 February 1960 at 5.30pm, the 4th child of his parents-Gokul Krishna and Sulata. Elder brothers are Ranadhir and Rathindranath and elder sister is Arpita.
Thakur being the title was conferred upon the great Baisnab Padakarta, Sreenibas Acharya (also known as the Second Chaitanya), the grand fore-father of this family, by the Malla King Bir Hambir for his marvelous scholarliness as recorded in the golden pages of history of Bhaktiyuga. This family has a hidden surname i.e. Gangopadhyay. Ritwik was married to Ruby Mitra hailing from a family of enriched culture of Chandannagore, Hooghly on 27 February 1990. The couple has two children- Ritajaa, the only daughter and Ritiman, the only son.
Though born in Calcutta surroundings Ritwik was opportuned to spend his adolescence at his native village i.e. Balidanga Faridpur in Nadia District in jocund company of village herds and minstrels under care and support of his parents dearly calling him by nickname Ghentu. He used to roam at large by the Ganges flowing down the village and lose his self in golden fields and green pastures. As born on a winter evening, he would love to walk lonely along the dusty road of his village in a subtle chat with friendly stars. It has made a lasting stamp on his later life as a travel-poet.
Young day
Ritwik did his Madhyamik education from Sahapur Mathuranath Vidyapith (a school of his urban). He read at Maulana Azad College (a Central Calcutta institution) up to graduation level. In later days, he did his post-graduation study in English Literature at Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Orissa and achieved distinction of being First Class First.
Literary life
Ritwik started writing rhymes at the age of eight while reading in class three. His home tuitor, Ramchandra Debroy provided him with a hard bound ruled copy for composing rhymes. Ritwik wrote rhymes under a title of that copy- "KHEYALI". His next creation was "MANUS". He was only eleven then. Bangladesh Freedom Fight was going on and Ritwik dedicated his poems of "MANUS" to those freedom fighters of Bangladesh with inspirational language. The first poem of Ritwik found a print version in the illustrious magazine of those days "WRIK" in 1976. Thereafter, his train of poetry went on running till 1983. Then all on a sudden, he lost his father, a man of saintly living, and out of broken heart Ritwik stopped composing verses and started reciting poems of famous poets, and thus he formed a choir of recitation named "CHHANDASENA". This choir lasted for years with success. Then he made a trip to New Delhi on Central Government Service and left his world of passionate creation, virtually the dream world of poetry. He opted for travelling without plans in his recess hours. Actually, during this phase of life he went on walking the bye-lanes of darkness, the real living of Indian folks. He gathered experiences from the down-trodden lying under the boon of moonlit sky with naked glooms of destiny. He came back to Calcutta and poured down his thoughts in a poetic rapture with his foot on soily existence of humanity.
The comeback
Ritwik took long thirty three years to get his first book of poems in Bengali published with a genuine friendly pat from the then Behala Book Fair Secretary and the poet, Pabitra Adhikari. Title of the verse was chosen by him "BAAUNDULER PAANCHAALI". By this time he has become a man of forty one in the year 2001.
Organizational Tasks
Ritwik has served Behala Book Fair as one of the Joint Secretary till 2011 and presently serving Greater Behala Book Fair as one of the Vice presidents. Apart from that, Ritwik has been spearheading BANGLA KABITA ARCHIVE (BEHALA) as its President.He attended the World Thinkers' And Poets' Peace Meet on 2010 organized by International Society For Intercultural Studies and Research(ISISAR)
Participated in the Birth Centenary celebration seminar of Bishnu Dey organized by Maulana Azad College in 2009.
Philosophy
Ritwik is a staunch believer in humanity and a devotee of poetry with an approach to its aesthetic principles and a lifelong dreamer of love bondage to hearts.
Bibliography
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Awards
* Raja Ram Mohan Roy Puroshkar (2005)

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