22 May 2025
Banu Mushtaq, a renowned Kannada writer, has recently made headlines for winning the prestigious International Booker Prize in 2025 for her book "Heart Lamp". This award recognizes her advocacy for women's rights and social justice, reflecting her commitment to highlighting the struggles of marginalized communities
Banu Mushtaq is a writer, activist, and lawyer from Karnataka, southern India.
She began writing within progressive protest literary circles in the 1970s and 1980s, critiquing the caste and class system. Mushtaq is known for her work as a women's rights activist and her role in the Kannada Bandaya movement. She has written six short story collections, a novel, an essay collection, and a poetry collection. Heart Lamp" is a collection of 12 short stories that explore the lives of women and girls in patriarchal communities in southern India.
The book was translated from Kannada to English by Deepa Bhasthi, who became the first Indian translator to win the International Booker Prize. The stories in "Heart Lamp" were written over three decades and offer a glimpse into the struggles and resilience of women in the face of oppression.
The book has received praise for its vivid storytelling, unforgettable characters, and nuanced portrayal of women's lives.