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The Wire
30-05-2025
- General
- The Wire
Banu Mushtaq's Importance Goes Much Beyond the Booker
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Top Stories Banu Mushtaq's Importance Goes Much Beyond the Booker Irfan Chowdhury 38 minutes ago Mushtaq's determination and resilience showcases how individuals still continue to fight for greater betterment of society at large. She is a beacon of solidarity. International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq during her felicitation ceremony by the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists, at Gandhi Bhavan, in Bengaluru, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now Her eight-minute acceptance speech tells it all: No story is ever small, and together we build a world where every voice is heard and every person belongs. A woman with extraordinary desire to express herself in words. But in which language? As a woman from South India's minority Muslim population, it was her family and community that imposed upon her the Dakhini or southern Urdu – somewhat distinct from the varieties spoken in northern places like Allahabad or Lucknow. But her home state Karnataka's native language, which she chose to write it in, is Kannada. Not many with this profile, particularly in her generation, achieve higher education, let alone dream of writing or pursuing a professional life or even choosing their own life partners, as she did. For a Southasian to win a Booker is no novelty. Many luminaries from the region have been awarded this prestigious literary award for the best single work of sustained fiction over the last few decades. Sir Salman Rushdie not only got the Booker for his acclaimed Midnight's Children but also won the Booker of the Booker, a special award that recognised the best of the prize's winners, and Best of the Booker, at the award's 25th and 40th anniversaries respectively. Other Southasian Booker awardees include Arundhati Roy for her The God of Small Things which had made a big storm with a story based in Kerala, Kiran Desai for The Inheritance of Loss, and Aravind Adiga for The White Tiger, just to name a few. Nor is Banu Mushtaq's Heart Lamp the first translation from Southasia to win the prize. Geetanjali Shree won it for her Hindi book translated to English, Tomb of Sand in 2022. So what's so special about Banu Mushtaq? For one, hers an exceptional tale of a spirited human journey overcoming societal taboos and defying cultural, even habitual boundaries put up by generations of practice. It is a triumph of stories that many may imagine but usually do not get a chance to appreciate, pushed aside amid daily grinds of life, or not prioritised due to stereotypes. To appreciate Mushtaq and her work is to celebrate the diversity of Southasian languages, culture and many minorities. Over a century ago, the iconic poet Rabinrantah Tagore won the Nobel for translating his own work from Bengali to English. However, seldom do we take time to explore works in other regional languages, for example, Tamil, Telugu, Assamese or Balochi. Kannada is estimated to be spoken by 65 million in a region of nearly two billion people. Of course, there is a successful South Indian movie industry and its music that many devour. Eminent local literary figures like R.K. Narayan are widely read. But we rarely take time to hear, learn or share the riches of diversity that our region presents. As tasty cuisines from Southasia's diverse regions whet our appetites, there are plenty of unheard stories and views to enrich our souls, and widen our understanding of each other. Stories which could help us see that deep down we are mere human societies trying to overcome mostly common challenges, regardless of what nationalistic politicians may have us believe Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi Heart Lamp: Selected Stories Penguin, 2025 Mushtaq's achievements have put a spotlight on significant issues worthy of attention. Her stories contain vital social context, focussing on Muslim and Dalit women and children – showcasing her lifelong dedication and commitment to marginalised voices. Through fiction, she captures the textures of life in southern India's patriarchal Muslim society, which she also experiences first-hand as a lawyer fighting for these women. As an activist, her insights carry both emotional depth and political weight, making Heart Lamp a work of both literary and social importance. In Deepa Bhasthi's translation, Mushtaq's work, spanning over three decades, gains a new international audience — a significant milestone given the linguistic and cultural barriers often faced by regional writers, especially women. This award has come at a time when the region from Bangladesh to Pakistan is embroiled in uncertainty and conflicts. Mistrust among communities and countries are high. At a personal level, Mushtaq's success is far more than just another Booker. Over three decades ago, I lived in Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, for undergraduate studies in a Muslim neighbourhood, Shivajinagar, just after the demolition of historic Babri Masjid in 1992 and the arrest of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, coinciding with the release of his blockbuster Khal Nayak. Communal tensions ran high, but as a teenager from a Muslim majority Bangladesh, I had the opportunity for casual, unguarded discussions with local Muslims, including over occasional meals at their homes. It was starkly obvious how ostracised ordinary Muslim women were in the glitzy, globalised metropolis Muslim girls in Mushtaq's generation seldom got the chance to finish high school before being married off to begin and look after families. She herself was allowed to attend a Kannada-medium missionary school on condition that she would be able to read and write in Kannada within six months. If this puzzles you, my observation from a long while ago was that Indian Muslims regardless of the regions they were from usually spoke Urdu with varying accents and proficiency as their first tongue, sometimes before the local native languages. There are post-Moghul historical and political reasons for this. What about the situation of Muslim girls in the three decades since? Mushtaq responded to this question from Vikhar Ahmed Sayeed in an English-language video interview for Frontline Magazine, after Heart Lamp was shortlisted for the Booker. She said that there are more Muslim (and other) girls with education and degrees now compared to then, but alas not so for Muslim boys who are accepting jobs, even menial jobs. This discrepancy is probably creating tensions, disharmonious relationships, issues and challenges for women which Mushtaq's work highlights. In fact, listening to Mushtaq in numerous interviews has been truly inspirational. We often hear how successful people overcome unfathomable odds to reach their goals. Mushtaq's obstacles were manifold, they include her own postpartum depression. Her dogged pursuit of raising her voice for marginalised women brought threats and attacks on her. Mushtaq's over three decades-long work encompasses these experiences,portraying the injustices, unfairness and confinement that society subjects girls and women to. Her success is about resilience and defying patriarchy. It is important to realise that Mushtaq would not have achieved her goals, specially the goal of writing, without the help and guidance of her community and wider public – majority non-Muslim. Besides her husband, she mentions a number of local literary societies and her involvement in the Bandaya Sahitya movements in the early 1970s which introduced protest writing by minority communities in the Kannada language, aiming to establish an equal society, without hierarchy – based on caste, creed, gender or languages. While the movement appealed to her as a youngster, Mushtaq struggled not only to choose the language she would write in, but her topics. Workshops and discussions with the Bandaya Sahitya guided her, and she began writing about her own Muslim community and challenging its patriarchy. Recognition of her work should be heartening to all Southasians, helping to remain positive during an uncertain time. Southasian artists, sport personalities have always tried to break the arbitrary boundaries, and the general public also responded positively. Ask many Indians who contributed to Imran Khan's cancer hospital for example. Mushtaq's determination and resilience showcases how individuals still continue to fight for greater betterment of society at large. She is a beacon of solidarity. As she said in her acceptance speech at the Booker award ceremony, 'This moment feels like a thousand fireflies lighting up a single sky – brief, brilliant and utterly collective…' She accepted the honour 'not as an individual but as a voice raised in chorus with so many others.' 'I am happy for the entire world which is full of diversity… this is more than a personal achievement… it is an affirmation that we as individuals and as a global community can try when we embrace diversity, celebrate our differences, and uplift one another… that in the tapestry of human experience every thread holds the weight of the whole… ' Irfan Chowdhury is a public-sector policy analyst and adviser from Bangladesh based in Australia. He writes opinion columns for Bangladeshi dailies and online platforms, like The Daily Star, Dhaka Tribune, Alalodulal, besides Sapan News. This is a Sapan New s syndicated feature. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News The Politics of 'Heart Lamp' Is Profound, Urgent and Reflects the Lived Reality of Millions Banu Mushtaq's 'Heart Lamp' – Translated By Deepa Bhasthi – Is 2025 International Booker Prize Winner Humour, Scepticism and the Realities of the Familial in Banu Mushtaq's 'Heart Lamp' 'Heart Lamp' Wins International Booker: Banu Mushtaq's First Reaction Why Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi's International Booker Is a Seminal Moment Adrift in Conscience: 'Small Boat' Navigates Guilt and Apathy, But Finds No Just Shore No Story Is Ever 'Small': Banu Mushtaq's International Booker Acceptance Speech Instances When PM Modi Did Not Congratulate Indians for International Recognition Trump's Drive for Ocean Bed Mining Threatens Law of the Sea View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Hans India
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Was ‘500 pc' sure I will win Booker Prize: Banu Mushtaq
Bengaluru: Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq said on Wednesday that she believed she would win the prize '500 per cent' and she wrote the speech three days ahead of the award ceremony. Mushtaq was speaking at a felicitation event organised by the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists in Bengaluru. 'Initially, I did not think much of it, but then I saw the reactions of people in social media after I was longlisted. Only then I realised the importance of the Booker Prize. So, when my family was sleeping in the night, I sat and wrote the speech that I ended up giving after I won,' said Mushtaq. She said she actually practiced the speech every day from then on, picturing herself holding the Booker Prize. She also recalled how, when her publisher tried to temper her expectations by saying that never in the history of the Booker Prize, a short story collection has won the prize, Mushtaq told the publisher, 'Why won't you believe that we might win? I believe 500 per cent.' She also talked about how people had absolutely no clue about the Kannada language and ended up pronouncing it 'Canada'. 'I made them repeat Kan-na-da,' added Mushtaq. Mushtaq, who was invited to speak at a panel at the Hay Festival 2025 in Wales on May 24 along with Prize director Gaby Wood and judge Anton Hur, said she was impressed with the 'book culture' there. 'The four-hour journey from London itself was so beautiful and reminded me so much of our Sakleshpura and Kodagu (hill stations in Karnataka) or even Kerala. But once there, I realised that the village might be small but it is a mecca for writers and readers. Nearly 25,000 people visit every day and buy books from the 40-odd small bookshops there during the 11 days of the festival,' said Mushtaq. She also said she was impressed by the crowd that stood in line for an autographed 'Heart Lamp' at the festival. 'Think nearly 300 people were there. I signed all books in Kannada,' she added. She said, as per her calculations, she believes her English publisher did Rs 6 crore business after the win. 'My book is also getting translated in 35 global languages and 12 Indian languages,' she added. Mushtaq said after winning, her world, too, really opened up. She is being invited all around the world. 'On June 16, I will go to London. In August, I will visit the Edinburgh Festival. Till next August my schedule is booked. I will be visiting Australia, New York and Bali...,' said the Kannada writer. Noting that she could not wear the Mysore silk saree -- that she deliberately chose to represent Karnataka -- on the winning night because her suitcase was lost in transit, Mushtaq said there's always a next time. She said she finally got her daughter, who was joining her from Bahrain, to bring the saree she wore. 'Guess, I have to win another Booker Prize so that the pending wish of wearing a Mysore silk saree for the Booker Prize reception will come true,' said the award winning writer, as cheers erupted from the crowd.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Signed copies of book in London in Kannada, says Booker prize winner Banu Mushtaq
International Booker award recipient Banu Mushtaq was felicitated by the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists in Bengaluru on May 28. Banu Mushtaq, a writer, lawyer and activist, began writing about her people, their joys, sorrows and anxieties, over five decades ago. On May 20, Heart Lamp, a collection of 12 short stories selected from her work written between 1990 and 2023 and translated by Deepa Bhasthi, won the International Booker Prize for 2025. During the felicitation, among other things, she shared her experience of travelling to London. 'In London, whoever approached me to sign their copy of 'Heart Lamp', I signed them in Kannada. The other shortlisted writers were masters degree holders. I was the only one to be a grassroots writer.' Apart from being a renowned writer, she is an advocate by profession. However, she started her career as a journalist for the Lankesh Patrike, and had a four decade-long stint in journalism. 'Heart Lamp' was a major success in the field of literature earning a huge profit of ₹6 crore for Penguin publishers. Heart lamp will be translated to 35 languages. According to Banu Mushtaq, 'People, irrespective of caste, race and community, were celebrating my success. Following the success of the book, many filmmakers had approached me for film rights.' Girish Kasaravalli, a renowned director, made a film based on Kari Nagaragalu, one of the short stories in the book. The film was called Hasina, and won a national award for best actor. Banu Mushtaq will be felicitated by the government of Karnataka at Vidhana Soudha on June 2.
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Banu Mushtaq's ‘Heart Lamp' to be translated into 47 languages
BENGALURU: The anthology of short stories, 'Heart Lamp', which won the International Booker Prize, will be translated into 35 global languages and 12 Indian languages, said author Banu Mushtaq at a felicitation organised by the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), Bahuroopi Publications and Gandhi Foundation, here on Wednesday. She said the stories will be made into movies, for which the rights have been acquired. 'So much material is within us and this has to be made familiar to others. We have read their stories and novels and we practised their way of life for so long. But now, there is a need to familiarise them with our way of life, our ideologies and our characters and situations,' she added. Congratulating her, KV Prabhakar, media advisor to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, said, 'At a time when disruptive forces, fanaticism and fundamentalism are destroying the world, I appreciate that the Booker International Prize has been awarded to Banu Mushtaq for her fusion of humanity and Indianness.' KUWJ president Shivanand Tagadur said, 'The award brings a lot of pride to Kannada and to us as she was first a journalist and later became a lawyer, an activist and everything that she is today. I feel that being a journalist for a decade fuelled her power and courage.' Writer, lawyer and activist Banu Mushtaq scripted history by becoming the first Kannada author to win the International Booker Prize with her anthology Heart Lamp. This is also the first time that a short story collection has won the prestigious prize.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Asylum in UK? I don't want, I will live in India: International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq
1 2 3 Bengaluru: International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq Wednesday declared: "I'm doing good in India, I will stay in India, and I do not have any necessity to knock on the doors of London (for seeking asylum). " During an event organised by Karnataka Union of Working Journalists on her return to India, the Hassan-based writer recalled answering a googly during a London book-promotion event when a woman asked her whether she was planning to seek asylum in the United Kingdom "because of unrest" in India. The woman ventured to make an offer of "facilitating asylum" for the Kannada writer. However, Banu's answer was simple, candid and honest: "I said I do not want (it), and we will continue to live in India. Who told you (about the unrest)?" The writer said, "London is a cultural capital, a lot of people have gone to stay there. Several writers have made London their home, producing great literary work." She said she's amazed by the culture of English book readership and added, "If I calculate, the English publisher (of Heart Lamp) has made Rs 6 crore business (so far)." Banu said she was completely unaware of the Booker prize or its import until her publisher applied for it. "Around 8pm on a particular day, I received a call from the publisher we were 'longlisted'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now I didn't know what it meant. Then my children explained its significance to me. The next morning when I was getting ready to go to court, journalists descended (on my house) and I wondered why. I did not know the sort of satisfactory reaction I should give," she said. Over the days, her book was shortlisted. When she was alone at home, she secretly wrote an acceptance speech four days before the event. "I mentally decided I should get the award though my publisher told me not to have many hopes since it's a short-story collection. I wondered why and confirmed to myself I would get it 500%," Banu added. She recalled the ordeal of losing her medicines, suitcase while she was travelling to London. Her daughter, who lives in Bahrain, brought a sari while coming to London. "The wish of wearing a Mysuru silk sari for the Booker reception remains unfulfilled. To use the saris, let's try to win another Booker," she said to cheers from the audience.
