‘Heart Lamp’ by Banu Mushtaq Illuminates International Booker Prize 2025 – A Must-Have Read

 

In a historic triumph for Indian literature, Kannada author Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp has won the International Booker Prize 2025, marking the first time a Kannada work has claimed this global honour. Translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, this captivating collection of short stories, originally published in Kannada, offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of Muslim women and girls in southern India. Awarded on May 20, 2025, at London’s Tate Modern, the £50,000 prize, shared equally between Mushtaq and Bhasthi, celebrates a work that is as bold as it is beautiful. For readers seeking stories that blend wit, heart, and unflinching truth, Heart Lamp is an unmissable addition to your bookshelf—available now at leading bookstores and online platforms.A Tapestry of Resilience and Humanity

Heart Lamp brings together twelve sharp, heartfelt stories from Karnataka’s Muslim communities, each one shining a spotlight on moments of joy, struggle, and quiet triumph. The writer, Mushtaq—a 77-year-old lawyer and activist from Hassan—pulls from decades of fighting for women’s rights to create characters that feel real: lively kids, bold grandmothers, and mothers shouldering society’s expectations.

The language, brought into English by Bhasthi, keeps the original’s spark. Readers will find scenes shifting quickly from laughter to heartbreak, often in the same breath. One story follows a mother navigating her son’s circumcision; another centers on a woman pushing back against patriarchal rules.

Max Porter, who’s heading up the 2025 judging panel, called Heart Lamp “life-affirming” and praised the translation for keeping the rhythm and music of Kannada intact. The book isn’t just a collection of stories—it’s a window into resilience and the everyday heroics of women. Definitely worth a read if you want something that’ll stick with you.

A Literary Milestone Worth CelebratingMushtaq’s journey to the International Booker stage is as inspiring as her stories. A fierce advocate against caste and religious oppression, she faced a fatwa and threats for her activism, yet her pen never wavered. Heart Lamp, part of the progressive Bandaya Sahitya movement, has already won India’s top literary honours, including the Karnataka Sahiya Academy Award. Now, its global recognition underscores its universal appeal. Whether you’re a lover of literature or passionate about stories that challenge the status quo, Heart Lamp is a must-read. Available at major retailers like Amazon, Flipkart, and local bookstores, this collection is poised to become a timeless classic. Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of literary history—grab Heart Lamp and let Mushtaq’s luminous storytelling light up your world.