- Thursday, February 27, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Karnataka-based writer, activist, and lawyer Banu Mushtaq has achieved a historic milestone for Kannada literature with her short story collection, Heart Lamp, being longlisted for the prestigious International Booker Prize 2025.
The collection, translated from Kannada to English by Deepa Bhasthi, has garnered recognition in London, highlighting the rich literary traditions of Karnataka and marking a major achievement for regional Indian literature on the global stage.
The International Booker Prize, one of the most esteemed literary honors in the world, celebrates outstanding works of fiction and short story collections that have been translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland. The GBP 50,000 prize is equally shared between the author and translator, acknowledging the collaborative effort required to bring diverse voices to an international audience.
The news of Heart Lamp’s longlisting has been met with widespread acclaim in India. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hailed it as a defining moment for Kannada storytelling. Taking to social media platform X, he wrote, “A proud moment for Kannada literature!
Banu Mushtaq’s Kannada short story collection has made it to the International Booker Prize longlist—a true honor for our language and culture! This recognition will pave the way for global appreciation of Kannada storytelling. Heartfelt congratulations!”
Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp is among 13 titles selected from around the world for the longlist. Judges praised the book for its “witty, vivid, colloquial, moving, and excoriating” narrative style, which delves into the nuances of family and community dynamics. This marks the first time a Kannada literary work has been longlisted for the International Booker Prize, making it a groundbreaking moment for regional Indian literature.
The collection consists of 12 powerful short stories set within Muslim communities in southern India, originally published between 1990 and 2023.
A Kannada-language book by Banu Mushtaq, “Heart Lamp,” is long-listed for the 2025 Booker Prize! Written in the ಬಂಡಾಯ (bandaya, or rebel) literary tradition, the book is a window into the lives of Muslim girls and women. Can’t wait to read (out Apr 2025)! pic.twitter.com/lrkyIWJWia
— Malini Ranganathan (@maliniranga) February 25, 2025
Through her deeply personal yet universally resonant storytelling, Mushtaq sheds light on the everyday struggles of marginalized individuals, particularly women grappling with societal and patriarchal pressures.
The judges commended Heart Lamp for its emotionally and morally weighty storytelling, which portrays the lives of its characters with raw honesty and depth. The collection’s ability to capture the intricacies of human relationships while addressing social injustices has made it a standout among the year’s most compelling translated works.
Banu Mushtaq expressed her gratitude for the recognition, calling it a “tremendous honor for Kannada literature.” Translator Deepa Bhasthi also shared her excitement, emphasizing the broader cultural impact of this achievement.
In a statement released by Penguin India, she remarked, “This is not just a personal achievement but a major moment for Kannada literature. That the everyday struggles of South Indian women under patriarchal pressures have resonated with the distinguished jury, and hopefully, will soon reach a global readership, is both humbling and affirming. It speaks to the universality of Banu Mushtaq’s stories and the power of translation.”
The International Booker Prize’s recognition of Heart Lamp follows a previous milestone for Kannada literature when renowned writer U.R. Ananthamurthy’s novel Samskara was longlisted for the Man Booker International Prize in 2013.
Ananthamurthy was among 10 authors nominated that year, alongside literary icons such as Marilynne Robinson, Lydia Davis, and Yan Lianke. While the award ultimately went to American writer Lydia Davis, Ananthamurthy’s nomination was a landmark event that paved the way for Kannada literature’s growing global recognition.
As the longlist announcement brings Heart Lamp to a broader audience, Kannada literary enthusiasts and scholars hope it will lead to greater appreciation and demand for translations of regional Indian literature. Penguin India has announced that Heart Lamp will be available in the Indian subcontinent in April 2025, ensuring accessibility to readers who wish to experience Mushtaq’s poignant storytelling firsthand.
The inclusion of Heart Lamp in the International Booker Prize longlist marks a historic moment not only for Kannada literature but also for the larger discourse around Indian storytelling in translation.
As regional voices find space on the global literary stage, the recognition of works like Mushtaq’s reaffirms the significance of diverse narratives that transcend borders, languages, and cultures.
