Written by Sanskriti Shaw
Banu Mushtaq, a Kannada writer, lawyer, and activist, has made history by winning the 2025 International Booker Prize for her book ‘Heart Lamp’ which is a collection of short stories. She shared this honor with Deepa Bhasthi, who translated her book into English. This is the first time a book written in Kannada has won this important international award. The award was announced at a ceremony at London’s Tate Modern on May 20.
‘Heart Lamp’ consists of 12 stories originally published between 1990 and 2023, exploring the lives of Muslim and Dalit women in Southern India. The stories talk about how society, religion, and politics can unfairly control women. They show how women stay strong and face many challenges while living in male-dominated communities.
The judging panel, led by Max Porter, praised the ‘Heart Lamp’ for its powerful and emotional storytelling. They said it used creative language and gave a strong picture of family and community life in Southern India. They also called the stories funny, emotional, and honest.
The International Booker Prize is awarded to a book translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland every year. This year, the £50,000 prize will be shared equally between Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi.
‘For the voices of women’, says Banu Mushtaq
Mushtaq has been a well-known Kannada writer since the 1970s. She said that the prize is a big moment for Kannada literature. She added that her stories focus on the struggles and strength of women, and show her support for social justice. “This award is not just for me—it’s for the voices of women who have long been silenced, and for the richness of Kannada literature that deserves to be heard worldwide,” she stated.
Deepa Bhasthi, the first Indian translator to win this prize, said she hopes this award will help more people around the world read stories from South Asian languages. “This is a victory for every South Asian language and every translator who works tirelessly to bridge cultural gaps,” she stated.
The success of ‘Heart Lamp’ is helping more people around the world notice Indian literature. It also shows how important translation is in connecting different cultures. It sets a new benchmark for short story collections in the international literary community, paving the way for more works from regional Indian languages to gain international acclaim.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor both congratulated Banu Mushtaq, calling the win a “milestone in the global recognition of India’s diverse literary heritage.”
This achievement has been celebrated by literary communities worldwide, with many viewing it as a testament to the power of storytelling in illuminating the lives of marginalized communities and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
(Sanskriti Shaw is an intern with The Theorist)
