Dr. Md. Intaj Ali is an Assistant Professor of English at Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU), West Bengal, and also serves as the Assistant Coordinator of the Centre for Language, Translation & Cultural Studies (CLTCS) at NSOU. His academic expertise spans folklore, ethnomusicology, comparative literature, translation studies, and digital humanities.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Md. Intaj Ali is a dedicated cultural activist and organizer. He serves as an executive member of the Centre for Folklore Studies and Research (CFSR) in Birbhum, West Bengal. In this role, he has been instrumental in organizing seminars, cultural programs, online lectures, research initiatives, and local folk festivals. Notably, the Rarh Folk Festival, which he oversees, stands as one of the most significant cultural events outside Kolkata, celebrating the rich traditions of the Rarh region.
Academic Qualifications
Dr. Md Intaj Ali is an accomplished academic and researcher specializing in English literature, folklore, ethnomusicology, and digital humanities. He holds a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Jadavpur University (2019), a Ph.D. from the University of Hyderabad, focusing on the tradition of storytelling in Radh Bengal (2013-2018), and an M.Phil from the University of Hyderabad, where he explored Baul culture in contemporary contexts. His academic journey began with a Post-Graduation in English Literature from Maulana Azad Urdu University, Hyderabad, demonstrating his strong foundation in literature and cultural studies.
Awards and Fellowships
Dr. Ali has received several prestigious awards and fellowships throughout his career. He was awarded the JU RUSA 2.0 Post-Doctoral Fellowship in 2019 and received a fellowship from Harvard University’s Institute for World Literature in 2016. His research excellence was further recognized by the Maulana Azad Fellowship Grant from the University Grants Commission (UGC) from 2012 to 2016. Additionally, he was honored by Sahapedia for curating a module on Baul Fakiri Tradition and Jari Gaan, contributing to the preservation and study of these traditional art forms. His contributions extend beyond academia as he actively engages in cultural research and digital humanities initiatives.
Research and Publications
As a prolific researcher, Dr. Ali has authored and edited several influential books, including Banglar Lok-Sangaskriti: Rupe O Rupantare (2019) and Relocating Bengal Partition Milieu: Survival, Resilience and Belongings (2022). He has published numerous papers in international journals and presented at prestigious conferences, covering topics such as folklore, digital archiving, and comparative literature. His editorial expertise is evident in his role as an editor for Café Dissensus and the Indian Journal of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies, where he has contributed to shaping academic discourse on literature, translation, and cultural studies.
Projects and Outreach
Dr. Ali has been actively involved in various research projects and academic initiatives. He served as the curator of the Bangla Digital Folk Archive from 2015 to 2016, a groundbreaking effort to document and preserve Bengal’s rich folk traditions. His expertise in coordinating international seminars and conferences is reflected in his successful organization of the 3rd International Seminar on Bengal Partition in 2020. His research on the Bengal Partition Repository Project (2019-2020) involved conducting interviews and compiling narratives to document the historical experiences of those affected by the partition. His dedication to cultural preservation and digital humanities continues to drive his research endeavors.
Teaching and Course Coordination
Dr. Ali plays a significant role in academic curriculum development at NSOU. He served as the Course Coordinator for the online program “Folklore Studies in the Digital Age” in 2022, reflecting his commitment to integrating digital tools into humanities education. His contributions extend to undergraduate and postgraduate programs in English at NSOU, where he has helped develop course materials and educational resources. His work in academia is driven by a passion for innovative teaching methods and interdisciplinary research.
Workshops and Training
Dr. Ali has actively participated in numerous workshops and training programs focused on digital humanities, ethnomusicology, and research methodology. He has attended specialized training sessions at institutions such as Jadavpur University and IIT Kharagpur, equipping himself with advanced research skills in cultural studies and digital archiving. His engagement with faculty development programs further underscores his dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.
Editorial and Conference Roles
Beyond his research and teaching commitments, Dr. Ali has served on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals, including the Journal of Comparative Literature and the Indian Journal of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies. He has also been instrumental in organizing and chairing sessions at national and international conferences, such as Raw.Con 2015 and the International Conference on Bengal Partition. His contributions to these academic platforms have facilitated critical discussions on literature, folklore, and cultural preservation.
Digital Humanities and Cultural Preservation
Dr. Ali’s work in digital humanities highlights his commitment to preserving and studying folk traditions through modern technological approaches. His involvement in digital archiving projects has significantly contributed to documenting and safeguarding Bengal’s folk culture and music. By integrating traditional folklore studies with contemporary digital methodologies, he has made substantial contributions to the field of comparative literature and cultural studies.
Dr. Md Intaj Ali’s career is marked by his dedication to preserving and studying folk traditions, his contributions to digital humanities, and his active role in academia as a teacher, researcher, and editor. His extensive body of work continues to influence the fields of folklore, literary studies, and digital humanities, positioning him as a leading scholar in these disciplines.
