Deepa Anappara is a highly acclaimed mystery writer and journalist. She was born in Kerala, a southern state in India, and spent her childhood there. Anappara later worked as a journalist in various Indian cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, for eleven years. During her time as a journalist, she focused her reporting on the impact of religious violence and poverty on children's education. Her work in this area earned her several awards, including the Developing Asia Journalism Awards, the Every Human has Rights Media Awards, and the Sanskriti-Prabha Dutt Fellowship in Journalism.
Anappara's debut novel, "Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line," has received significant critical acclaim. It was named one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and NPR. The novel won the Edgar Award for Best Novel, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020, and shortlisted for the JCB Prize for Indian Literature. The book has been translated into 23 languages, a testament to its global appeal. In addition to her work as a novelist, Anappara is also a co-editor of the anthology "Letters to a Writer of Color."
In summary, Deepa Anappara is an accomplished author and journalist who has dedicated much of her career to exploring the impact of social issues on children's education. Born and raised in southern India, Anappara worked as a journalist in several Indian cities before turning her attention to fiction. Her debut novel, "Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line," has been widely praised for its storytelling and insight into the experiences of children living in difficult circumstances. Anappara is also an advocate for writers of color and has co-edited an anthology on the subject.