Dr. Tamali Neogi is a distinguished academic, author, poet and translator based in Burdwan. Currently, she is an Associate Professor of English at Gushkara College. A prominent literary figure with a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Neogi’s work encompasses poetry, critical analyses and international literary advocacy.
She is an internationally published and award-winning poet of works like Winged Monologues, Winged Dialogues and Ripples of Silence. Besides, her critical and creative credentials are reflected in books such as V.S. Naipaul: His Dark and Comic Vision, the novella Woman of Patashpur and the collection of short stories Moments.
Global Literary Roles: Mil Mentos Por Mexico International has conferred Peace Award on Dr. Neogi. She has been honoured as the Ambassador of Peace by Global Nation, Bangladesh. Recently, Dr. Tamali Neogi was appointed the Ambassador of the Seneca Award in India.
In an exclusive interview with Rameez Makhdoomi she talks to Jazzbaat 24 News Network.
1.Tell us bit about your academic life ?
I joined as a lecturer in the year 2003. My first posting was at Vivekananda Satavarshiki College, Midnapore, West Bengal. I am presently working at Gushkara College, East Burdwan, West Bengal, in the capacity of Associate professor. So far I have more than forty research papers and book reviews, published in reputed journals of India and abroad( these include scopus publications, web of Science journals, UGC CARE journals, peer-reviewed journals and publications in edited volumes). I have edited a good number of books including Politics of Exclusion(Olive Publications, Kerala, 2026), a book on marginalized Dalit women. My critical writings include the book: V.S.Naipaul: His Dark and Comic Vision( Authorspress, New Delhi, 2023). I have so far written the Foreword of three books of Indian and foreign authors.
2.A bit on your literary journey ?
It can be said that as a writer and a poet I am a late starter. Incidentally just a few years ago I
reached a juncture in life that ushered in the truth that changed the course of my life. The
painful consciousness of waste, the deep sense of loss started haunting me but what played the role of catalyst was my only daughter’s near fatal illness who survived a prolonged period of traumatic suffering. My tryst with the ugly and alarming realities of life transformed me into an agent of action. Perhaps I finally realized that in every woman there’s a Queen who can bravely fight back. It was not that I was then standing on the precipice; rather it was a sensation of lying on a table in the morgue - either I should stand up and declare herself as a living being, proving it further by my action or
I would be considered as a ‘body’, soon to be sent for dissection. It was in that do or
die situation that I decided to act, perhaps for the first time meaningfully, in life. Past was
standing as an unalterable reality pointing towards the waste and failures which fortified
my resolve to fight back and gain some semblance of the quest of life. While Covid time
allowed me some extra time to myself, I started writing. Thus, the maiden book Woman
of Patashpur (2020) came into being which reflected my take on life. The short stories
written during this period was later published under Stockholm Project 2033 under the
caption Moments (2024). Venturing into writing Book Reviews instilled an awareness
that a true critic is not far away from a creative poet. My first anthology of poems is Winged
Monolouges ( Authorspress, New Delhi, 2024) and it has won me The Best Debut Book award in India and Canadian-Romanian Atma Prize. My second book of English poems is published by Romanian Writers’ Association, Montral, Canada in 2025 and this book is now available on Amazon too. I have won Naji Naman Literary Award and Seneca Award in 2025. My third book of English verse is published by Transcendent Zero Press, Houston, Texas, 2026. My first book of Bengali poems is going to be published this year by a reputed Kolkata based publisher.
3.Your favourite authors ?
Difficult for me to mention a few of them, leaving the rest. Therefore, I would like to mention my all-time favourites- Shakespeare and Tagore.
4.How do you view literary atmosphere in west Bengal ?
Though it has always been very challenging for new voices, Bengal nurtures the finest talents. There’s presently only a few traditional publication houses and I believe that their role is very important so far as promotion of good art is concerned.
5.Your favourite works?
The Last Poem by Tagore, King Lear, The Brothers Karamazov, The Bell Jar, Poetry of Yeats, Jibananada Das and Simon Armitage.
6. Your message ?
One good poem has the potential in it to make one immortal. Therefore, we poets, shouldn’t run after number of books or fame. In challenging times, poets should go on expressing themselves freely, fully and fearlessly, never diverting from the paths of Truth and Beauty.
