The author of more than 20 books including 14 volumes of poetry and two novels, she was widely translated and was a frequent invitee at international literary festivals.

For twelve years in the 90s she was the poetry editor of Sananda, the largest circulated Bengali fortnightly (edited by Aparna Sen).

Along with her husband, the noted poet Subodh Sarkar, she was the founder-editor of Bhashanagar, a culture magazine in Bengali.

In addition to teaching, editing and writing, she was actively involved with the cause of gender justice and other social issues.

Her fiery, combative tone is noticeable in many poems, e.g. "While teaching my son history": often dealing with women's marginalised role in history: Particularly evocative is her feminist rendition of the legend of Khana, a medieval female poet whose tongue was allegedly cut off by her jealous husband: