Indian writer and women’s rights activist Banu Mushtaq has scripted history by becoming the first Kannada author to win the prestigious International Booker Prize. Her acclaimed short story anthology Heart Lamp clinched the award in London on Tuesday.
Heart Lamp, originally written in Kannada and translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, is a powerful anthology of 12 short stories that chronicle the everyday experiences of women and girls living in patriarchal communities in southern India. Spanning over three decades of writing—from 1990 to 2023—the collection reflects Mushtaq’s enduring commitment to portraying the nuanced realities of women’s lives.
The International Booker Prize 2025 was jointly awarded to Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi, whose English rendition brought the stories to a global audience. This is the first full-length translation of Mushtaq’s work.
According to the Booker Prize Foundation, Mushtaq is a prolific author with six short-story collections, a novel, an essay collection, and a volume of poetry to her credit. She is also the recipient of several notable literary accolades, including the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award and the Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Award.
Deepa Bhasthi, a writer and literary translator based in Kodagu, Karnataka, has previously translated works of Kannada literary giants such as Kota Shivarama Karanth and Kodagina Gouramma. Her skillful translation of *Heart Lamp* was also recognized as a vital component in bringing Kannada literature to a broader audience.
Max Porter, Chair of the International Booker Prize 2025 jury, lauded Heart Lamp, stating that it was a unanimous favourite among the judges. “This was the book the judges really loved, right from our first reading. It’s been a joy to listen to the evolving appreciation of these stories from the different perspectives of the jury. We are thrilled to share this timely and exciting winner with readers around the world,” he said.
Back home, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated Banu Mushtaq for her historic win. Taking to X, he wrote, “Heartfelt congratulations to Kannada’s pride, author Banu Mushtaq, who has been awarded the International Booker Prize. This is a moment of celebration for Kannada, Kannadigas, and Karnataka.”
The Chief Minister also praised the translator, saying, “On behalf of all Kannadigas, I extend congratulations to the talented writer Deepa Bhasthi, who translated Banu Mushtaq’s Booker Prize-winning work Hridaya Deepa into English as Heart Lamp. I wish she continues to write and translate with strength and spirit, spreading the essence of Kannada across the world.”
(With ANI inputs)