Banu Mushtaq: A story born under a banyan tree in my village can cast its shadow across the world
HASSAN: Writer Banu Mushtaq has scripted history, becoming the first Kannada author to win the International Booker Prize. Her short-story collection, Heart Lamp, translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, is also the first anthology to receive the prestigious award.
Mushtaq, a long-time voice of resistance in Kannada literature and an early participant in the Bandaya Sahitya movement, said the international recognition affirmed both the literary strength of the Kannada language and the universal relevance of its stories.
She described the award-winning moment as ‘a thousand fireflies lighting up a single sky’ and reflected on the significance of the award, her literary journey, and the power of storytelling to spark social change.
Reflections on the Award
Did this award come as a surprise?
Moments before the announcement were tense, unforgettable. When author Max Porter announced Heart Lamp as the winner, an electrifying atmosphere took over. Everyone stood up and began congratulating me, including my relatives who were present. It felt like a thousand fireflies lighting up a single sky. I was, indeed, thrilled.
How do you interpret the significance of this award?
I never imagined stories from my corner of the world would travel this far. This is a moment for all regional-language writers in India. This is also a victory for diversity. The award recognises countless women, whose lives echo through these stories. I’m grateful to Deepa Bhasthi for giving my words a ‘new lease of life’ through translation.
Role as a Writer in a Divided World
How do you view your role as a writer amid threats and social division?
As a critical insider, I’ve faced ostracism, threats, and trauma. I believe a writer’s task is to document injustices artistically — exposing misuse of power, political manipulation, and women’s struggles — without preaching. In today’s divided world, with increasing policing of women and hate-driven politics, I remain hopeful. History shows oppressive regimes fall, and despite challenges, change is inevitable.
The Impact of the Award on Kannada Literature
How do you feel about a short-story collection selected for Booker Prize for the first time?
Short stories often receive less attention than novels, but I love the form. Every literary form has its place. It’s unfair to rank novels above short stories or create a hierarchy between them.
What impact will this award carry on Kannada literature?
This prize demonstrates the true potential of the Kannada language and its literature. If more Kannada works are translated into English and other languages, we can introduce our stories to a global audience. This story is a love letter to my belief that no tale is ever just local. A story born under a banyan tree in my village can cast its shadow across the world.
Stories of Marginalised Voices
Many stories centre on marginalised voices. What role does literature play in social change?
Let me share a story. A Muslim woman from the coast visited me recently. She told me about her suffering and said she didn’t know what to do next. I asked her why she came to me when there are so many advocates in Hassan. She said she had watched ‘Hasina’, a film that won three national awards, based on my story. Decades later, she rewatched it, and it gave her answers. She said, ‘I thought you were the right person to help me.’ That’s when I felt my writing had made a difference.
The Bandaya Sahitya Movement
You emerged from the Bandaya Sahitya movement…
Bandaya is not just a movement — it’s a state of mind. It represents resistance against injustice. Society, sometimes, imposes harsh rules and demands that individuals conform. At such times, we must confront it. I question society, politics, religion, and patriarchy. Bandaya remains relevant today as a mindset and a way of life.