Banu Mushtaq's 'Heart Lamp' Makes History: First Kannada Book to Win International Booker Prize

Writer, activist, and lawyer Banu Mushtaq created history as her short story collection "Heart Lamp" became the first Kannada-language book to win the prestigious £50,000 International Booker Prize. The award was presented at a ceremony in London’s Tate Modern on Tuesday night.

Mushtaq, who shared the honor with her translator Deepa Bhasthi (who translated the work from Kannada to English), called the win a "victory for diversity."

The book, featuring 12 short stories written between 1990 and 2023, offers a poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by Muslim women in South India.

This landmark achievement marks a significant moment for Indian literature, celebrating regional voices on a global stage. Banu Mushtaq’s International Booker Prize win is monumental—not only for her own literary contributions but also for highlighting India’s vibrant regional literature.

Earlier, in 2022, Geetanjali Shree’s "Tomb of Sand" won the same award, translated from Hindi to English by Daisy Rockwell. While Mushtaq’s writing has long been cherished by book lovers, the International Booker has now brought her life and literature to a global audience.

Her work reflects the struggles women face due to religious rigidity and patriarchal oppression. It is her keen awareness that perhaps helped her craft such nuanced characters and narratives.

A review in The Indian Express praised "Heart Lamp", stating: "While literature often rewards grand narratives, 'Heart Lamp' is about lives on the margins. This book rests on an acute observation of unseen choices—and that is its strength. This is Banu Mushtaq’s quiet power."