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Matwaala, a literary organization founded in 2015 by Usha Akella and Pramila Venkateswaran, has emerged as a popular platform for South Asian diaspora poets seeking visibility in the American literary landscape. The organization has grown from a small initiative to a vibrant community that has showcased over 122 poets across various reading programs and collaborative projects.
Key highlights of Matwaala’s decade-long journey include partnerships with prestigious institutions including NYU and Stony Brook University, launching the MAPS Anthology showcasing diaspora poetry and multiple reading events that center diverse poetic voices.
To mark its 10th year, the organization has inked a partnership with the Academy of American Poets for the Poem-a-Day series, and will host the inaugural edition of Mehfilm, a South Asian Poetry Film Fest on October 4th in Chicago.
Matwaala continues to champion its core mission of building solidarity and amplifying diverse South Asian poetic voices, inviting collaborations and support to expand its reach.
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This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.