In a historic moment for Indian literature, Banu Mushtaq has become the first Kannada writer to win the International Booker Prize for her book Heart Lamp.
Mushtaq dedicated the award “to every citizen of my country — to the soldiers protecting our nation, to the artists, to the common people, and to my country itself.”
Known for her fierce activism and socially conscious writing, the writer has long been associated with Bandaya Sahitya Sangatne, a rebellious literary movement rooted in social justice.
In an interview with India Today, she spoke about her deep connections to marginalised communities, her role as a state convener of the movement, and her lifelong refusal to bow to authority.
“I’ve always stood with the people. I’ve worked with Dalits, with farmers, with women. I’m anti-establishment — I’ve broken many stereotypes,” she said.
For Mushtaq, literature and activism are inseparable. Her body of work reflects the emotional depth of her commitment to social issues — particularly those faced by women and the underprivileged.
“Even my housemaid deserves a life of self-respect. I fight for her rights too,” she said.
Mushtaq said that her stories are not born from data or academic research but from unfiltered emotion. “I don’t write from research. I write from what I know, from emotion. I value feelings over facts — the power of a story lies not in its accuracy, but in its emotion,” she explained.
Her Booker-winning work Heart Lamp is an intimate portrayal of everyday Muslim life — where the day begins with the azan, and relationships form the moral and emotional backbone of her narrative. “I can’t compare it to other books — I haven’t read them. I only know the light of my own ‘Heart Lamp’,” she said.
A striking symbol in the book, Shahista Mahal, echoes the Taj Mahal — but in Mushtaq’s story, it represents betrayal, not love. “It was not a monument to love, but a symbol of exploitation. A wife was deceived, not cherished,” she said.
Though she writes of struggle, Mushtaq is clear that her personal life has been one of freedom and contentment. “I married by choice, my children are well-educated and settled. I live in a comfort zone — but I choose to step out of it,” she said. “I want to live among the people, laugh and cry with them.”
Mushtaq challenges the stereotype that Muslim women are disconnected from politics. “That’s a false notion,” she said. “When a woman stands in a ration line or files for a housing site, that is also politics. A Muslim woman cannot be separated from politics — like every citizen, she lives it daily.”
She also emphasised the urgent need for more translations of Kannada literature. “Kannada has a rich literary tradition, but it hasn’t been translated enough. If given exposure, it can make a lasting impact on world literature,” she said, calling for national policies to support literary translation and recognize the role of translators.
With soaring demand for her books, Mushtaq revealed that her publishers are preparing a new abridged edition combining six of her poetry collections — nearly 500 copies sold in a single day.
Currently, Mushtaq is working on her autobiography, which promises a unique perspective shaped by personal bonds and public movements.
“It will be different — filled with emotional depth and stories of struggle. I’ve written half of it, and I think it will draw readers in,” she said.
Despite her new global acclaim, Mushtaq remains rooted in her purpose. “Let there be peace in this country, let there be brotherhood,” she said. “This award is not just mine — it belongs to everyone who believes in justice, equality, and the soul of this nation.”
She also spoke passionately about the dual nature of social media. While it offers exposure and empowerment to women, it also brings challenges — from misinformation to emotional harm. “Social media is powerful. But girls need to be educated on how to use it wisely — and safely,” she warned.
Being the winner of International Booker Prize, Mushtaq has now joined the the rare company of Indian Booker laureates such as VS Naipaul, Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy, Kiran Desai, Aravind Adiga, and Geetanjali Shree. Her win marks a powerful recognition not just of her literary talent, but of Kannada literature’s growing relevance on the global stage.
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