Indian author Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi have made literary history by winning the International Booker Prize for their collaborative work Heart Lamp, a powerful collection of 12 short stories. The announcement came during a ceremony held at London’s Tate Modern, where Max Porter, bestselling author and chair of the five-member jury, revealed the winners. This marks the first time in the prize’s history that a collection of short stories has been honored, breaking new ground for the prestigious award.
Deepa Bhasthi and Banu Mushtaq Achieve Historic Firsts in International Booker Prize
The award brought several firsts. Deepa Bhasthi became the first Indian translator and only the ninth female translator to win the prize since its modern inception in 2016. Banu Mushtaq also joined the ranks as the sixth female author to receive this honor. The recognition not only underscores the literary merit of Heart Lamp but also highlights the growing global appreciation for voices from the Indian subcontinent, particularly those writing in regional languages.
Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi Make History with First Short Story Win at International BookerWritten originally in Kannada—a language spoken by about 65 million people in southern India—the stories in Heart Lamp were carefully translated by Bhasthi, who preserved the linguistic diversity of the region. Max Porter praised the translation as “radical,” emphasizing its ability to retain the socio-political and cultural layers embedded in the original text. The translation’s authenticity and richness played a crucial role in the book’s reception and success.
Women’s Lives Explored Through Religion, Society, Politics, and Power in Heart Lamp
The stories in Heart Lamp, penned between 1990 and 2023, revolve around the everyday lives and struggles of women in southern India. Mushtaq, also a lawyer and activist, described the collection as a reflection of how religion, society, and politics impose harsh expectations on women, often reducing them to subordinate roles. The themes of reproductive rights, faith, caste, power, and oppression are explored with depth and nuance, giving voice to often-unheard female experiences.
The £50,000 ($66,000) prize money will be equally split between Mushtaq and Bhasthi, alongside individual trophies. The International Booker Prize, which is awarded annually, runs in parallel with the Booker Prize for English-language fiction. The win for Heart Lamp not only amplifies the reach of Kannada literature globally but also paves the way for more regional voices to be recognized on the international stage.