Banu Mushtaq's Heart Lamp, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, has made history by winning the 2025 International Booker Prize. This marks a monumental achievement as it is the first time a Kannada title has been awarded the prestigious prize, and also the first short story collection to ever win. The £50,000 prize will be split equally between Mushtaq and Bhasthi, recognizing the vital role of both author and translator in bringing this work to English-speaking audiences. The award ceremony took place at the Tate Modern in London.
Heart Lamp is a collection of 12 short stories, written between 1990 and 2023, that chronicle the everyday lives of women and girls in patriarchal Muslim communities in southern India. Mushtaq's writing is inspired by her work as a lawyer and activist, where she witnessed firsthand the struggles and hardships faced by these women. The stories address themes of gender inequality, religious and caste oppression, and the resilience of women in the face of adversity. Through vivid characters, sharp dialogue, and a blend of humor and poignancy, Mushtaq paints a powerful portrait of their lives.
The judges praised Heart Lamp for its originality and its ability to challenge and expand readers' understanding of translation. Max Porter, chair of the judges, described it as "something genuinely new for English readers," a "radical translation which ruffles language, to create new textures in a plurality of Englishes." He further noted that the stories "speak of women's lives, reproductive rights, faith, caste, power and oppression."
Deepa Bhasthi's translation has been lauded for retaining the essence of the original Kannada text, incorporating Kannada, Urdu, and Arabic words to preserve the cultural context and nuances of the stories. Bhasthi herself describes her approach as "translating with an accent," aiming to introduce readers to new words and thoughts loaded with the "hum of another language" rather than conforming to "proper" English. This approach has earned her recognition as the first Indian translator to win the International Booker Prize.
Banu Mushtaq, a lawyer, activist, and writer, has been a prominent voice in progressive Kannada literature for decades. Her work often focuses on the lives of marginalized communities, particularly Muslim women, and challenges societal norms and patriarchal structures. Winning the International Booker Prize is expected to shine a bigger spotlight on her life and literary works.
The win is also significant for regional literature in India. Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-chief of Penguin India, highlighted the importance of recognizing literature in India's many languages. The success of Heart Lamp underscores the richness and diversity of Indian literature and the need for greater attention to works from regional languages.
Heart Lamp offers readers a glimpse into the lives of women who are often overlooked or misrepresented in mainstream literature. Through Mushtaq's powerful storytelling and Bhasthi's nuanced translation, the collection celebrates the resilience, wit, and sisterhood of these women, while also exposing the injustices and inequalities they face.
