Raba Khan (born 11 May 1998) is a Bangladeshi comedian, YouTuber, model, singer, and author. She is known for her satirical commentary on everyday life in Bangladesh.[1] She is a radio jockey at ABC Radio.[2] In 2020, Raba was featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list in the Media, Marketing & Advertising category.[3] She is a UNICEF Youth Ambassador and has worked to advocate for children's rights.[4][5]

Raba Khan
রাবা খান
Personal information
Born (1998-05-11) 11 May 1998 (age 25)
Sydney, Australia
NationalityBangladeshi
YouTube information
Channel
LocationDhaka, Bangladesh
Years active2014-present
100,000 subscribers

Early life and family edit

Raba Khan was born in a Muslim family on 11 May 1998 in Sydney, Australia. Her father is a businessman, and her mother is a housewife. She has a brother named Fahad Reaz Khan who is a director.[6][7] She moved to Dhaka, Bangladesh with her family when she was 16 years old.[citation needed]

Career edit

Raba Khan started her career as a YouTuber in June 2014 at the age of 15 by posting her debut video “Bengali Couples React to Break-Ups (with classic songs)”. Her brother used to be in some of those videos, and has been a contributor to her content.[6] She became known for her personal vlogs and videos about Bengali life on her YouTube channel, TheJhakanakaProject. Some of her videos are satirical, addressing social issues and stereotypes in Bangladesh, others include Khan singing or lip-syncing, or reenacting old TV commercials.[8] She has also collaborated with other YouTubers like SalmoN TheBrownFish and BhaiBrothers LTD. In 2022, she released a studio album in collaboration with singer, songwriter Arafat Mohsin.[9] The album is titled Muhurto.[10] Together they released a track from the album titled Premika (lover), the day before the valentine in 2022.[11] A music video for the song was also released. The video was shot at Cox's Bazar.[10] Raba Khan wrote and tuned the song.[10]

In 2018, she became a Youth Ambassador to advocate for children’s rights by UNICEF. She is a goodwill ambassador for ActionAid.[12] She's been a speaker at Harvard University webinars.[13] She has also worked with the World Food Programme.[14][15]

She owns a fashion line named JKNK.[16]

বান্ধobi edit

Besides YouTube and modeling, Raba Khan also writes books.[17] Her debut book named Bandhobi (styled as বান্ধobi,[18] Bangladeshi slang for “girlfriend”), was published in 2019. The book chronicles the lives of nine young women in Dhaka,[19] in the form of a teenager's anecdotes.[20] The book is written in a causal and laxed use of the Bangla language.[21][22]

References edit

  1. ^ Report, Star Online (2020-04-02). "Esrat Karim, Raba Khan named in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  2. ^ Mazumder, Joana Nomrata (2018-12-15). "RABA KHAN". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  3. ^ Shahnewaz, Sadi Mohammad (2020-04-02). ""It was hard to keep Forbes a secret for two months" - Raba Khan". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  4. ^ "Raba Khan". UNICEF. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  5. ^ sun, daily. "Raba Khan on Forbes '30 Under 30' list | Daily Sun |". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  6. ^ a b Zahin, Araf (2017-02-18). "Raba Khan". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  7. ^ "Zafar Sobhan to interview Raba Khan on 'Straight Talk'". Dhaka Tribune. 2018-11-29. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  8. ^ Watson, Rana Wehbe. "21 And Under: Meet The Youngest Members Of Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2020 List". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  9. ^ "Raba Khan releases new songs, teases debut album". Dhaka Tribune. 2021-07-05. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  10. ^ a b c Arts & Entertainment Desk (2022-02-14). "Arafat and Raba release Premika". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  11. ^ "Arafat and Raba's Valentine's Day song 'Premika' out now". The Business Standard. 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  12. ^ Gola, Shubhankar (2021-06-06). "Bangladeshi Gen-Z Ambassador, Raba Khan". VANITY STARDOM. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  13. ^ Live, Star (2021-01-30). "A&E Talk with Elita: Raba Khan". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  14. ^ "Raba Khan". The Daily Star. 2019-05-18. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  15. ^ "Rohingya youths celebrate storytelling success". unb.com.bd. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  16. ^ "Raba Khan becomes a Forbes' 30 under 30 honouree". The Business Standard. 2020-04-02. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  17. ^ Today, I. C. E. (2019-03-07). "The Raba Renaissance". Ice Today. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  18. ^ Emerging Issues of Translanguaging and Speaking English: A study of Bangladeshi students from Indian curriculum schools By Farah Kabi
  19. ^ "Raba Khan in this year's 30 Under 30 Asia list". The Independent. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  20. ^ Kazi, Arafat (2019-03-13). "Defending my 'Bandhobi'". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  21. ^ "Raba Khan named in Forbes' 30 under 30 Asia list". Dhaka Tribune. 2020-04-02. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  22. ^ Kalamder, Moneesha R. (2019-03-18). "The fault with our 'Bandhobi'". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-03-15.