Dee Lestari

Using a pen name Dee Lestari, Dewi began her writing debut in 2001 with the first episode of her serial novel Supernova. The story explored the existential quests of young, urban, spiritual pathfinders who tried to bridge the gap between matter and mind. Its first episode, Kesatria, Putri, Bintang Jatuh (The Knight, The Princess, and The Falling Star) was sold phenomenally and had achieved a cult status among Indonesian young readers. She has published four following episodes: Akar (The Root), Petir (The Thunder), Partikel (The Particle), and Gelombang (The Wave). Outside the Supernova series, she has published four other critically acclaimed books: Filosofi Kopi (The Coffee’s Philosophy), Perahu Kertas (Paper Boat), Rectoverso, and Madre. Filosofi Kopi was short listed for Khatulistiwa Literary Award and was chosen as the best literary work by Tempo Magazine. Madre received Penghargaan Sastra 2012 (Literary Award 2012) by Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture and Education.

Dee has also an extensive music career. She was firstly known as one third of a female vocal trio Rida, Sita, Dewi. She began her music career in 1995 and had produced four albums with the trio. Her passion in words and music has led her to become a songwriter, and she has been writing songs for many renowned Indonesian artists.

Her first solo album Out of Shell (2006) was nominated for the Best Album in Foreign Language in Indonesia Music Award (AMI Award). In 2008, Dewi created Rectoverso, a unique hybrid of music and literature that consisted of 11 short stories and 11 song. Dewi’s hit single Malaikat Juga Tahu got her nominated as Best Female Singer in AMI Award.

Perahu Kertas, one of Dee’s books turned-into-movie, also marked her debut as a screenplay writer. The movie became one of the national’s block busters. Following the same fate, Rectoverso, Madre, Supernova, and Filosofi Kopi, were also made into movies.

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