London | May 20, 2025 — In a historic moment for Indian literature, Banu Mushtaq has become the first Kannada author to win the prestigious International Booker Prize 2025 for her compelling short story collection ‘Heart Lamp’, translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi.
The landmark victory not only shines a global spotlight on Kannada literature but also celebrates the depth and diversity of stories rooted in India’s southern communities. The collection, comprising 12 vibrant and emotionally charged stories, captures the daily lives, struggles, and quiet revolutions of women in patriarchal societies with wit, warmth, and raw honesty.
A First for Kannada, A Win for Diversity
Shortlisted among six standout works from around the world, ‘Heart Lamp’ stood out for its “witty, vivid, colloquial, moving and excoriating” portrayal of family and community dynamics. As she received the £50,000 prize at London’s Tate Modern on Tuesday night, Mushtaq called the win “a victory for diversity”.
“This book was born from the belief that no story is ever small,” Mushtaq shared. “In the tapestry of human experience, every thread holds the weight of the whole.”
Translation That Honors Cultural Roots
Translator Deepa Bhasthi was praised for preserving the multilingual texture of South Indian life in her English rendition. Urdu and Arabic phrases were deliberately left untranslated in parts of the dialogue, allowing the reader to experience the rhythm and richness of the original oral storytelling tradition.
“What a beautiful win this is for my beautiful language,” said Bhasthi.
Max Porter, Chair of the 2025 Booker judging panel, hailed the translation as “radical” and “innovative,” adding that it “challenges and expands our understanding of English itself.”
A Journey of Three Decades
Written over a span of more than 30 years (1990–2023), the stories in ‘Heart Lamp’ reflect Mushtaq’s lifelong advocacy for women’s rights and her deep understanding of South Indian cultural complexity. Curated carefully by Bhasthi, the collection is a testament to sisterhood, resistance, and resilience.
Fiammetta Rocco, Administrator of the International Booker Prize, praised the book as a voice for the silenced:
“‘Heart Lamp’ speaks directly to our times. It deserves to be read by men and women all over the world.”
Other Shortlisted Titles
The 2025 shortlist included six titles:
- ‘On the Calculation of Volume I’ by Solvej Balle (Danish)
- ‘Small Boat’ by Vincent Delecroix (French)
- ‘Under the Eye of the Big Bird’ by Hiromi Kawakami (Japanese)
- ‘Perfection’ by Vincenzo Latronico (Italian)
- ‘A Leopard-Skin Hat’ by Anne Serre (French)
Each shortlisted title received £5,000, split between author and translator. As winners, Mushtaq and Bhasthi will each take home £25,000, honoring both creative expression and the art of translation.
Continuing a Legacy of Indian Literary Excellence
This win marks the second major victory for Indian literature at the International Booker Prize after Geetanjali Shree’s ‘Tomb of Sand’ (Hindi) won in 2022. In 2023, Perumal Murugan’s Tamil novel ‘Pyre’ was longlisted, highlighting India’s growing influence on global literary platforms.
‘Heart Lamp’ is more than just a collection of short stories—it’s a cultural and feminist milestone. With her unfiltered narratives and unapologetic voice, Banu Mushtaq has carved a space for regional Indian literature on the global stage. As readers around the world open the pages of Heart Lamp, they are invited into the hearts, homes, and hopes of women who have long waited to be seen.
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