Banu Mushtaq Makes History: First Kannada Book Wins International Booker Prize

In a historic moment for Kannada literature, acclaimed writer, lawyer, and activist Banu Mushtaq has won the prestigious International Booker Prize for her short story collection Heart Lamp. The award was announced at a grand ceremony held at Tate Modern, London, where Mushtaq was joined by Deepa Bhasthi, the translator who translated her work into English.

Heart Lamp becomes the first-ever Kannada title to win the coveted prize, which includes a GBP 50,000 award shared equally between the author and translator.

In her moving acceptance speech, Banu Mushtaq spoke about the power of stories and the role of literature in bridging divides:

“This book was born from the belief that no story is ever small, that in the tapestry of human experience, every thread holds the weight of the whole,” she said.

 “In a world that often tries to divide us, literature remains one of the last sacred spaces where we can live inside each other's minds, if only for a few pages.”

Deepa Bhasthi added emotionally: “What a beautiful win this is for my beautiful language.”

Hailing from Hassan, Karnataka, Banu Mushtaq began writing at the age of 29 while battling postpartum depression. Writing became a powerful outlet for her emotions, eventually evolving into a literary career marked by bold, socially conscious storytelling. Her work focuseon: Women-centric issues, caste, class, gender, and struggles of marginalized communities in southern India.

Mushtaq has also been a vocal advocate for Muslim women's rights, even facing a social boycott in 2000 for demanding access to mosques for women.

Heart Lamp had to face tough competition from: 'On the Calculation of Volume I' by Solvej Balle, translated from Danish by Barbara J. Haveland; 'Small Boat' by Vincent Delecroix, translated from French by Helen Stevenson; 'Under the Eye of the Big Bird' by Hiromi Kawakami, translated from Japanese by Asa Yoneda; 'Perfection' by Vincenzo Latronico, translated from Italian by Sophie Hughes; and 'A Leopard-Skin Hat' by Anne Serre, translated from French by Mark Hutchinson.

This victory marks a transformative moment for regional Indian literature on the international stage. It not only honours Banu Mushtaq's extraordinary voice but also celebrates linguistic diversity and cultural authenticity.

In her own words, Banu Mushtaq declared: “This award is a win for diversity.”