Banu Mushtaq’s short story collection ‘Heart Lamp’ becomes first Kannada book to win International Booker Prize

LONDON: Karnataka writer and women’s activist Banu Mushtaq scripted history by winning the International Booker prize for the short story anthology, ‘Heart Lamp’, in 2025. It is the first short-story collection and a Kannada book to win the honour in London on Tuesday.

Originally written in Kannada, the stories in ‘Heart Lamp’ were translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi. She was also honoured with the International Booker Prize along with writer Mushtaq.

As per the Booker Prize website, ‘Heart Lamp’ is a collection of 12 short stories chronicling the everyday lives of women and girls in patriarchal communities in southern India. The collection of 12 stories spans more than 30 years, written between 1990 and 2023.

We’re delighted to announce that the winner of the #InternationalBooker2025 is Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi.

Here’s everything you need to know about the book: https://t.co/wPRGqgrQyc pic.twitter.com/tVFxwSGhZo

— The Booker Prizes (@TheBookerPrizes) May 20, 2025

Mushtaq is the author of six short-story collections, a novel, an essay collection and a poetry collection. Holding expertise in the Kannada language, the writer has won major awards for her literary works, including the Karnataka Sahitya Academy and the Daana Chintamani Attimabbe awards, as per The Booker Prizes website.

‘Heart Lamp’ is the first book-length translation of Banu Mushtaq’s work into English. Following her win, Banu Mushtaq becomes the second Indian writer to win the International Booker Prize, while ‘Heart Lamp’ is the first winner to be translated from Kannada.

‘ಎದೆಯ ಹಣತೆ’ ಕಥಾಸಂಕಲನದ ಅನುವಾದಿತ ಕೃತಿ ‘ಹಾರ್ಟ್ ಲ್ಯಾಂಪ್’ ಗೆ ‍2025ರ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಿತ ಬೂಕರ್ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆದ ಲೇಖಕಿ @BanuMushtaq ಹಾಗೂ ಅನುವಾದಕಿ ದೀಪಾ ಭಸ್ತಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು.

Congratulations to author Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi on winning the prestigious 2025 Booker Prize… pic.twitter.com/yxSG3LkzRF

— Karnataka Media academy (@karmediaacademy) May 21, 2025

As for Deepa Bhasthi, she is a writer and literary translator based in Kodagu. Her published translations from Kannada include a novel by Kota Shivarama Karanth and a collection of short stories by Kodagina Gouramma, as stated by The Booker Prizes website.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated writer Banu Mushtaq for winning the International Booker Prize 2025 on Wednesday.

Heartfelt congratulations to Kannada’s pride, author Banu Mushtaq, who has been awarded the International Booker Prize. This is a moment of celebration for Kannada, Kannadigas, and Karnataka.

Banu Mushtaq, who embodies and writes with the true values of this land, which is… pic.twitter.com/yKhxUNZ2ax

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 21, 2025

Taking to his X handle, the Karnataka CM wrote, “Heartfelt congratulations to Kannada’s pride, author Banu Mushtaq, who has been awarded the International Booker Prize. This is a moment of celebration for Kannada, Kannadigas, and Karnataka. Banu Mushtaq, who embodies and writes with the true values of this land, which is harmony, secularism, and brotherhood, has raised the flag of Kannada’s greatness on the international stage and brought honor to all of us.”

He also congratulated writer Deepa Bhasthi for the English translation of ‘Heart Lamp’. “I wish that she continues to write with strength and spirit for a long time, spreading the essence of Kannada across the world. On behalf of all Kannadigas, I also extend congratulations to the talented writer Deepa Bhasthi, who translated Banu Mushtaq’s Booker Prize-winning work Hridaya Deepa into English ‘Heart Lamp’,” added the CM.

Max Porter, Chair of the International Booker Prize 2025 judges praised the book and called it a “joy” to listen to the “evolving appreciation” of the book from the different perspectives of the jury.

“This was the book the judges really loved, right from our first reading. It’s been a joy to listen to the evolving appreciation of these stories from the different perspectives of the jury. We are thrilled to share this timely and exciting winner of the International Booker Prize 2025 with readers around the world”, said Max Porter as quoted by The Booker Prizes website. (ANI)