Deepa Bhasthi felicitated in Madikeri

The Hindu

31-05-2025

Writer Deepa Bhasthi, whose English translation of Banu Mushtaq's Kannada work Edeya Hanate (Heart Lamp) won the prestigious International Booker Prize 2025, was felicitated in Madikeri by her alma mater and local leaders on Saturday.
The Old Students' Association of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College, where Ms. Bhasthi pursued her education, college principal, lecturers, and office-bearers of the association visited her residence to honour her remarkable literary achievement.
B. Raghav, principal of the college, extolled Ms. Bhasthi for her literary accomplishment and noted that the international recognition has brought immense pride to the institution.
'The achievement of one of our old students was a matter of pride for the college,' he added.
The association president B.B. Aiyappa highlighted the difficulty of translating regional literature without losing its emotional depth, commending Ms. Bhasthi's masterful rendering that resonated with a global audience.
MLA for Madikeri Mantar Gowda also felicitated Ms. Bhasthi at her home on Saturday. Commending her contribution to literature, he said her accomplishment had placed Kodagu on the global literary map. He said the government would support her future literary initiatives and described her as an inspiration for students and young writers.
Mr. Gowda also remarked that it was heartening to see literature of such calibre emerge from the serene surroundings of Kodagu. Plans are under way to organise interactions between Ms. Bhasthi and students from local institutions to foster interest in literature and translation, he added.
Ms. Bhasthi said the translation took nearly three years of dedicated work and she is now preparing for literary engagements in London and other cities. Ms. Bhasthi's husband Chettira Nanaiah, her parents Prakash and Sudha Bhasthi, were among those present.