Historic Win
- First win for Kannada at the International Booker Prize.
- First-ever short story collection to win the prestigious award in the prize’s history.
- Marks a significant moment for Indian regional literature on the global stage.
Relevance : GS 1(Culture , Literature)
About Banu Mushtaq
- 77-year-old Kannada writer, lawyer, and activist from Hassan, Karnataka.
- Writing since the 1970s, focusing on lives, struggles, and inner worlds of Muslim women.
- Known for empathetic storytelling rooted in social realities and gender issues.
- Her language is noted for its resilience, depth, and cultural specificity.
About Heart Lamp
- A collection of 12 short stories selected from works written between 1990 and 2023.
- Stories reflect the lived experiences of Muslim women, exploring patriarchy, pain, and hope.
- Represents five decades of literary commitment to the marginalized and unheard.
About the Prize
- The International Booker recognizes works translated into English, spotlighting both author and translator.
- The 2025 shortlist featured works in French, Italian, Danish, and Japanese, indicating stiff global competition.
About Deepa Bhasthi (Translator)
- Described as offering a “radical translation” that reshapes English to accommodate the original’s depth.
- Praised for creating a “plurality of Englishes”, respecting the source’s cultural and emotional textures.
- Her work impressed Jury Chair Max Porter with its linguistic innovation and emotional fidelity.
Wider Significance for India
- Comes three years after Geetanjali Shree’s win for Tomb of Sand (translated from Hindi).
- Highlights the richness of Indian vernacular literature and its growing global recognition.
- Encourages translation efforts for regional Indian languages, often underrepresented globally.
