Bio
Dheepa R. Maturi enjoys exploring the rich and surprising ways that cultures and traditions interact and intersect over time. A graduate of the University of Michigan (A.B.) and the University of Chicago (J.D.), Dheepa's poetry, essays, and fiction have appeared numerous literary journals and anthologies, including Literary Hub, PANK, The Fourth River, Tiferet, New York Quarterly, Wanderlust, Tweetspeak, The Offbeat, Jaggery, Dear America: Reflections on Race, Flying Island, The Indianapolis Review, and elsewhere. Her prize-winning essay "We Are Trees" will appear in an anthology featuring the writing of Thich Nhat Hanh and a foreword by Pope Francis. She lives with her family in Indianapolis.
Why I Write
Throughout my life, I've longed for two things: to understand and to be understood.
Since childhood, writing has provided a lens through which to explore and comprehend the world around me. It has also allowed me to shine a light into my inner world — to discover what makes me breathe, hope, love.
The second part — being understood — has been harder. In order to be understood, I have to share my work. However, giving others this view of my deepest insides terrifies me. At every turn, though, I've found the encouragement, acceptance, and kindness of others. Being seen has been profoundly affirming, healing — even mystical at times.
In the past, I have worked as a lawyer and consultant. I've run a business as well as a nonprofit fund. But, slowly and surely, I'm transitioning from describing what I do to acknowledging who I am. I am a writer.
I am grateful that you have allowed me to share my work with you.
