New Delhi: Indian author, lawyer, and activist Banu Mushtaq has etched her name in literary history by winning the prestigious International Booker Prize 2025 for her short story collection, Heart Lamp. This landmark achievement marks the first time a book written in Kannada, a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in Karnataka, has claimed this globally celebrated award. Translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, Heart Lamp poignantly captures the struggles and resilience of Muslim women in South India, earning widespread acclaim for its vivid storytelling and emotional depth.
A Trailblazing Victory for Kannada Literature
The International Booker Prize, awarded annually for outstanding fiction translated into English, comes with a £50,000 prize (approximately ₹57 lakh), which Mushtaq and Bhasthi will share equally. The award ceremony, held on May 20, 2025, at London’s Tate Modern, was a moment of pride for Indian literature. Heart Lamp, a collection of 12 short stories written between 1990 and 2023, was selected from a shortlist of six global titles for its “witty, vivid, conversational, poignant, and sharp” portrayal of familial and communal tensions, as noted by the judging panel chaired by Max Porter. Porter described the translation as “radical” and praised its ability to introduce English readers to new linguistic textures rooted in Kannada culture.
The Essence of Heart Lamp
Heart Lamp delves into the lives of ordinary women navigating patriarchal South Indian societies, highlighting their courage, resistance, humor, and sisterhood. The stories, inspired by Kannada oral traditions, address issues such as religious orthodoxy, gender inequality, and social marginalization. According to a review in The Indian Express, “Heart Lamp thrives on its nuanced perspective of unseen choices, celebrating the quiet strength of marginalized lives.” Mushtaq’s ability to craft multidimensional characters—rebellious grandmothers, resilient mothers, and defiant children—has resonated with readers and critics alike. The book’s dialogues, peppered with Urdu and Arabic words, retain their cultural authenticity, thanks to Bhasthi’s meticulous translation.
Banu Mushtaq: A Life of Resilience and Rebellion
Born in 1948 in a small Muslim neighborhood in Hassan, Karnataka, Mushtaq grew up in a conservative environment where girls typically studied Urdu and the Quran. Her father, a government employee, defied tradition by enrolling her in a convent school at age eight, where she mastered Kannada—the language that would later define her literary voice. Despite societal pressures, Mushtaq pursued higher education and began writing in her teens. Her early married life, however, was fraught with challenges. In a candid interview with Vogue, she revealed how her love marriage at 26 led to expectations of wearing a burqa and confining herself to domesticity, culminating in postpartum depression at 29. A harrowing moment of despair, when she doused herself in petrol, was a turning point, sparking her resolve to reclaim her identity through writing and activism.
A Voice for the Marginalized
Mushtaq’s writing is deeply rooted in her advocacy for women’s rights and social justice. After a decade as a reporter for a local tabloid, she joined the Bandaya movement, a literary and activist initiative aimed at addressing social and economic inequalities. She later became a lawyer to support her family, all while continuing to write. Her prolific career includes six short story collections, a novel, and an essay collection. Her sharp critique of religious dogma and patriarchal structures has often drawn backlash, including death threats and a fatwa in 2000 for supporting women’s right to pray in mosques. Yet, Mushtaq remained undeterred, telling The Week, “The fundamental struggles of women and marginalized communities persist, even as society evolves.”
Recognition and Impact
Mushtaq’s literary contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award and the Dana Chintamani Attimabbe Award. In 2024, her translated anthology Haseena and Other Stories (1990–2012) won the prestigious PEN Translation Prize, further cementing her reputation. The Booker win has amplified her global reach, with Heart Lamp now available in English, Urdu, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated Mushtaq on X, stating, “Banu Mushtaq has hoisted the flag of Kannada on the global stage.” The victory follows Geetanjali Shree’s 2022 Booker win for Tomb of Sand, marking India’s growing influence in world literature.
Deepa Bhasthi’s Translation Triumph
Deepa Bhasthi, a Madikeri-based translator, has been hailed as the first Indian translator to win the International Booker Prize. Her translation of Heart Lamp preserves the cultural nuances of Kannada, earning praise for its emotional and linguistic fidelity. In an emotional statement, Bhasthi called the win “a beautiful victory for my beautiful language.” Her work has been instrumental in bringing regional Indian literature to a global audience, with judges lauding her for creating “a revolutionary translation” that challenges conventional approaches to linguistic adaptation.
A Milestone for Indian Regional Literature
The Booker Prize win underscores the richness of India’s regional literary traditions, often overshadowed by English and Hindi literature. According to a 2024 report by the Sahitya Akademi, over 70% of India’s literary output is in regional languages, yet only a fraction reaches global readers due to limited translations. Mushtaq’s victory highlights the need for greater investment in translating regional works. Literary critic Dr. Arundhati Ghosh noted, “Heart Lamp is a testament to the power of regional voices in addressing universal themes. It’s a wake-up call for the publishing industry to prioritize translations.”
Looking Ahead
Mushtaq’s win is not just a personal triumph but a cultural milestone that elevates Kannada literature on the world stage. Reflecting on her journey, she told The Hindu, “Literature is a sacred space where we can live in each other’s minds, even briefly.” As Heart Lamp continues to inspire readers, Mushtaq remains committed to her craft, undeterred by challenges. Her story is a beacon for aspiring writers, proving that resilience and authenticity can illuminate even the darkest corners of human experience.