Kannada writer, activist and lawyer Banu Mushtaq features in the long list of the International Booker Prize 2025, for her short story collection Heart Lamp. It has been translated from Kannada to English by Deepa Bhasthi, writer and literary translator based in Kodagu.
A note released by the book's publisher, Penguin Random House, says Heart Lamp delves "into the intricate tapestry of human emotions and relationships, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society. The narrative weaves through themes of love, loss, and resilience, offering readers a profound exploration of the human condition."
The English translation will be released in April 2025.
Banu Mushtaq stated it was a "tremendous honour for literature in the Kannada language" to be long-listed for the International Booker. Deepa Bhasthi echoed the sentiment, saying that the recognition is a significant moment for Kannada literature. "That the everyday experiences of South Indian women building lives under patriarchal pressures have resonated with the distinguished jury, and hopefully, will soon reach a global readership, is both humbling and affirming. It is a testament to the universality of Banu Mushtaq’s stories and to the power of translation," she stated.
The International Booker longlist comprises 12 titles from across the world. The shortlist of six of these books will be announced on April 8.
In 2022, the English translation of Geetanjali Shree's Tomb of Sand by Daisy Rockwell won the International Booker, the first Hindi novel to win the prize.
