Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq Wins A Historic 1st for Kannada Literature

Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq Wins the 2025 International Booker Prize: A Historic First for Kannada Literature and Indian Translation

New Delhi, 2025 — In a landmark achievement for Indian literature and the global recognition of regional voices, Banu Mushtaq’s short story collection Heart Lamp has won the 2025 International Booker Prize. Translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi, this win marks the first time a Kannada-language work and an Indian-origin translator have claimed this internationally prestigious literary honour. Published by Penguin Random House India, the book had already garnered acclaim by receiving the English PEN Translates Award in 2024.

This recognition places Heart Lamp in the global literary spotlight and signifies a major moment for Indian publishing, especially for literature written in Indian languages and then translated. It follows the success of Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree, which won the International Booker in 2022, and the longlisting of Pyre by Perumal Murugan in 2023. With Heart Lamp, Indian literature in translation has achieved another momentous milestone.

A Universal Narrative Rooted in the Local

Originally written in Kannada, Heart Lamp is a masterful exploration of womanhood, love, loss, identity, and tradition within the context of contemporary South India. Despite being deeply rooted in the lived experiences and socio-cultural milieu of Karnataka, the stories transcend borders and speak to universal human experiences. Banu Mushtaq’s storytelling is at once intimate and resonant, weaving narratives that challenge societal structures while delving into emotional depths that connect with readers across cultures.

The translator, Deepa Bhasthi, plays a crucial role in bringing this regional gem to the global stage. Her translation captures the lyrical beauty, political charge, and emotional intensity of Mushtaq’s original writing, making it accessible to a wider audience without losing its essence.

Reactions from Penguin Random House India

Speaking on the historic win, Moutushi Mukherjee, Commissioning Editor at Penguin Random House India, expressed her excitement and pride:

“I am, to say the least, thrilled and excited that Indian literature has had such a big win. It has been an exhilarating journey for us at Penguin following the journey of this book with Banu and Deepa over the last year. Can’t wait to see it being read and loved by people.”

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior Vice President of the Adult Publishing Division, echoed the sentiment:

“This is an incredible moment for Indian publishing and Penguin Random House India. We are overjoyed and proud of our book Heart Lamp that has touched so many hearts across the world. My heartiest congratulations to our author Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi on this outstanding achievement.”

The Importance of the International Booker Prize

The International Booker Prize is among the world’s most prestigious literary honours. It recognizes the best fiction translated into English and celebrates the work of both the original author and the translator, offering them equal credit. The award highlights the significance of translation in broadening the horizons of world literature and making diverse voices heard beyond linguistic boundaries.

The 2025 judging panel, chaired by Max Porter—author of Grief Is the Thing with Feathers—included poet and filmmaker Caleb Femi, writer and publishing director Sana Goyal, translator Anton Hur, and singer-songwriter Beth Orton. Their decision to honour Heart Lamp reinforces the global literary community’s increasing recognition of South Asian and particularly Indian-language narratives.

About the Author: Banu Mushtaq

Banu Mushtaq is a trailblazing writer, activist, and lawyer from Karnataka. She emerged from the Bandaya Sahitya movement in the 1970s and 80s, a powerful protest literary movement in southwestern India. Known for her sharp critiques of caste, patriarchy, and social inequality, Mushtaq was one of the few women in the movement, and among the very few Muslim voices. She has authored six short story collections, a novel, an essay compilation, and a poetry collection, all in Kannada. She is a recipient of multiple awards including the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award and the Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Award.

About the Translator: Deepa Bhasthi

Deepa Bhasthi is a respected writer, translator, and cultural critic based in Kodagu, southern India. Her essays and cultural commentary have appeared in numerous national and international publications. Bhasthi has previously translated works by Kannada literary stalwarts such as Kota Shivarama Karanth and Kodagina Gouramma. Her translation of Heart Lamp not only earned her the English PEN Translates Award but has now placed her among the most notable literary translators of her generation.

Penguin Random House India’s Commitment to Literature in Translation

Penguin Random House India publishes over 250 new titles annually and maintains an impressive backlist of over 3,000 titles across genres including fiction, non-fiction, biography, politics, history, lifestyle, and children’s literature. Through imprints like Puffin, Penguin has long been dedicated to nurturing talent in all forms of storytelling. The International Booker win for Heart Lamp reflects the publisher’s commitment to championing regional voices and expanding access to Indian literature on a global platform.

This victory is not only a cause for celebration for the author, translator, and publisher but a monumental step forward for the diverse landscape of Indian literature. It showcases the power of stories—rooted in the local yet brimming with global resonance—and the transformative potential of translation in amplifying those voices.

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