June 16, 2025
Banu Mushtaq, a writer, lawyer and activist from Karnataka, has made history by winning the 2025 International Booker Prize for her short story collection, ‘Heart Lamp’—the first Kannada work to receive the honour. Translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, the book explores the lives of Muslim and Dalit women in southern India, spotlighting their strength in the face of deep-rooted social challenges. Mushtaq began writing at the age of 29. She has written short stories, essays, poetry and a novel, often centred on themes of gender, caste and resistance. ‘Heart Lamp’ features stories written between 1990 and 2023. Mushtaq’s win is a landmark for Kannada literature and voices from the margins.
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