Sameer Tanti is an acclaimed writer belonging to the Assamese language and an artist. As a writer, he is popular as a poet and short story writer. Tanti has also translated a few books and is a painter and social worker. He is a recipient of numerous honours, including the Assam Valley Literary Award in 2012 and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2024, which he won for his book, Foringbure Bator Kotha Jane. He is a cult figure in modern Assamese poetry.
Sameer Tanti – Assamese Writer, Social Worker, and Painter
He was born on 6 February 1955 in Karbi Anglong district, Assam. Behora, belonging to Mikirchang tea estate, is his birthplace. Tanti’s grandparents had migrated from Orissa to work in the tea gardens, and got settled there.
Sameer Tanti graduated in English literature from Dergaon College, followed by a Master’s degree in English from Guwahati University in 1983. After studies, he taught at Saraighat College. Alongside he started a career as a journalist, working as an editor and translator of an English newspaper. He later served as a tourist information officer in the Department of Tourism, Government of Assam.
Playing with painting brush to painting emotions with a pen
First, he played with brush and colours. As a 6-year-old, he started expressing his emotions with lines and contours. Thus, he started off with painting colours, and poetry became a natural corollary of that artistic urge within him. He took formal education under an Oriya guru for a year before pursuing graduation in English. He also enrolled in Hindi High School in Behora for 2 years.
He taught students and also earned a scholarship, which financially helped him further in his studies. He passed matriculation in 1974. While at college, he exhibited his painting, earning money, which helped him in his studies. He got full support and encouragement from friends and relatives. He is married to Lilibon Kalita since 1980.
He started writing during his college days
Initially, he was interested in painting only. During his college days, he started maintaining a dairy. In 1979, his first poem appeared in the then-popular literary magazine, Nagorik. His poem was loved by readers. From then on, he started publishing poems in national and regional dailies and magazines on a regular basis. Slowly, he started gaining popularity as an Assamese poet.
Sameer Tanti’s Literary Journey
Throughout his lifetime, Tanti published 14 poetry collections and 4 critical essays. He also translated two African and Japanese books into the Assamese language, apart from editing a few works. He is known for presenting Assamese poetry on different platforms and at poetry festivals.
Yuddhabhumir Kavita (1985) was his first published book. Kadam Phular Rati (2001) is his acclaimed work. His works include – Yuddha Bhumir Kabitaa, Shokakul Upatyaka, Tej Andhaaror Nao, Somoy, Sabda, Sapon, Kadam Phular Raati, Ananda Aru Bedonaar Baivab, Bishad Sangeet, and Foringbure Bator Kotha Jane.
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