logo
Indian Writer Banu Mushtaq Makes History with International Booker Prize Win

Indian Writer Banu Mushtaq Makes History with International Booker Prize Win

Daily Tribune22-05-2025

Indian writer, lawyer, and activist Banu Mushtaq has made literary history by winning the International Booker Prize for her short story collection Heart Lamp. This marks the first time a work written in Kannada — a language spoken in the southern Indian state of Karnataka — has received this prestigious international award.
Heart Lamp features 12 short stories written by Mushtaq between 1990 and 2023. The stories, translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, focus on the lives and struggles of Muslim women in southern India. In her acceptance speech, Mushtaq thanked her readers and spoke about the power of storytelling. 'No story is ever small,' she said, emphasizing how literature helps us understand each other's lives.
Deepa Bhasthi, who became the first Indian translator to win an International Booker, expressed hope that this achievement would inspire more translations of regional Indian languages like Kannada.
Mushtaq's award comes after Geetanjali Shree's Tomb of Sand (translated from Hindi) won the same prize in 2022. Although Mushtaq has long been respected in literary circles, this international recognition shines a brighter light on her career and the powerful themes she explores — especially the challenges faced by women in conservative and patriarchal societies.
Raised in a small Muslim neighborhood in Karnataka, Mushtaq studied the Qur'an in school but was later enrolled in a convent school by her father to ensure broader educational opportunities. She learned Kannada and began writing early, eventually choosing it as the language for her creative work.
Her writing career took off during a difficult time in her life. After marrying a man of her choice at age 26, Mushtaq faced domestic pressures and depression. She has openly discussed this period in interviews, including a moment of deep despair when she nearly attempted self-harm. That painful experience became a turning point in her life.
Her characters in Heart Lamp reflect this same spirit of resilience and resistance. According to a review in The Indian Express, 'Mushtaq refuses to portray Muslim women as mere symbols. Her characters endure, push back, and find strength in everyday acts.'
Mushtaq has also worked as a journalist and later as a lawyer to support her family. She was involved in the Bandaya movement, a progressive literary movement addressing social justice.
Her outspoken views on women's rights have not been without consequences. In 2000, she received threats — including a fatwa — after speaking in favor of women's right to pray in mosques. She even survived a knife attack. But none of these challenges stopped her from writing.
'I've always challenged narrow-minded religious interpretations,' she said in an interview. 'The core struggles for women and marginalized communities remain, even as the world changes.'
Mushtaq has authored six short story collections, a novel, and an essay collection. Her contributions have earned her several honors, including the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award and the Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Award.
Earlier in 2024, the translated compilation Haseena and Other Stories — featuring works from 1990 to 2012 — won the PEN Translation Prize, further cementing her legacy as a powerful voice in Indian literature.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fabulous feast at Four Seasons
Fabulous feast at Four Seasons

Gulf Weekly

time7 days ago

  • Gulf Weekly

Fabulous feast at Four Seasons

A fabulous Eid lunch awaits guests at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay on the second day of Eid Al Adha. Savour an array of delicious mezzes, appetisers, ouzi, grills and Lebanese specialities from the Byblos menu at Bahrain Bay Kitchen. There will also be a live wok station offering the best of Asian flavours, an Indian tandoori station and delightful desserts specially prepared for the joyous occasion. It will be served on Saturday, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, at BD28 per person. Children aged six to 12 dine with 50 per cent off while it is complimentary for children under six. Savour the flavours of the season at CUT by Wolfgang Puck, where executive Chef Brian Becher and his talented team have whipped up new, innovative dishes, such as wagyu beef cruda, Bluefin tuna, tender grilled rack of lamb, line-caught black bass and more. The special affair is available for lunch on Saturday, 12.30pm to 3pm and dinner on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 7pm to 11pm and Wednesday to Friday from 7pm to 11.30pm. Friday brunch is available from 12.30pm to 3pm. Lunch and dinner are priced a la carte, while the Friday brunch costs BD70 inclusive of free-flow bubbly beverages. Bold, imaginative flavours and an inviting atmosphere await guests at re/Asian Cuisine. Elevated Asian classics meet a fresh Californian spirit – think signature Korean fried chicken, delicate dumplings, Hokkaido scallop and more. Don't miss out on this fabulous experience, available on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, from 7pm to 11pm, and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 7pm to 11.30pm . It is priced a la carte. Savour Mediterranean flavours this summer at Bay View Lounge with its curated tapas selection, perfect for sharing. Live the experience with patatas bravas, chicken croquettes, calamari and grilled octopus, until August 2, 11.30am until midnight.

Steak your claim to luxury at Ritz
Steak your claim to luxury at Ritz

Gulf Weekly

time29-05-2025

  • Gulf Weekly

Steak your claim to luxury at Ritz

Guests can treat themselves to an unforgettable evening with Tomahawk Tuesdays at Plums in The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain. The restaurant offers a luxurious dining affair that's sure to delight the senses. Enjoy a perfectly grilled Angus tomahawk steak expertly paired with a premium bottle of grape beverage, every Tuesday, from 7pm to 11pm, priced at BD69. l Cantina Kahlo hosts Saturday Brunch Fiesta, a lively brunch experience bursting with bold Mexican flavours and authentic dishes. Diners can immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere as an energetic mariachi band provides the perfect soundtrack to the culinary journey. It's available every Saturday, from 1pm to 4pm and is priced at BD25 with soft beverages and BD35 with selected beverages. l Meanwhile, Ritz Gourmet Lounge will introduce a curated selection of signature pastries and sweet delicacies in June, designed to awaken the palate in every bite. l Nirvana presents The Great Indian Thali, offering diners a vibrant Indian dining experience with a traditional thali featuring a variety of dishes crafted to perfection. From aromatic curries and tender tandoori specialties to fragrant rice, each platter presents a feast of colours and flavours. Guests can pair their meal with a refreshing glass of lassi, a traditional Indian yoghurt-based drink, for the perfect touch. Available Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 12pm to 3pm and 7pm to 11pm, the feast is priced at BD24 per person including a lassi. l The Lobby Lounge offers Sweet Duo Delights, featuring an exclusive Coffee and Cake Combo that provides the perfect blend of warmth and sweetness. Guests can enjoy select coffees paired with the finest cakes, each crafted to provide a moment of pleasure. Available Sunday to Wednesday from 10am to 4pm at BD9 per combo.

Making an impact
Making an impact

Gulf Weekly

time29-05-2025

  • Gulf Weekly

Making an impact

melissa@ Bahrain is set to stage the first edition of the International Influencers Awards tonight, May 29, where digital innovators and content creators from across the Gulf will be honoured in a dazzling ceremony, writes Melissa Nazareth. The gala event is being presented by TIAH, a globally recognised soft-skills training institute in Seef District, and will witness 28 finalists across 14 categories compete for titles spanning beauty, wellness, education, comedy, arts and more. Two nominees have been shortlisted for each of the segments in the awards, which are audited by an independent audit firm. The evening will also feature other entertainment, food, and drink, offering guests a lovely time. In addition to recognising influencers and the work they do, the awards also seek to promote Bahrain as a major destination for tourism and business. 'We're thrilled to be staging an event of this type and scale for the first time in Bahrain and absolutely see this becoming an annual event,' TIAH founder Priyanka Jassal told GulfWeekly. 'We want to showcase Bahrain's ongoing efforts in digital transformation and our commitment to aligning with the national development goals. 'This year, we're also placing a special focus on humanitarian impact. As part of the evening, we will be honouring Bahraini digital voices who are making a real difference in society and using their platforms to inspire positive change. 'We've really focused on being inclusive – our finalists, shortlisted from more than 200 applications, feature creative talents from 15 different nationalities, including Bahraini, Egyptian, Argentine, Italian, Swedish, Kazakhstani, Pakistani, Indian, American, German, and more,' the 37-year-old added. The Indian expatriate has extensive hospitality experience specialising in the airline industry. After moving to Bahrain with her husband six years ago, she was keen to pursue her passion, which led her to open her own institute. 'I started my career as a cabin crew and since then have nurtured the dream of establishing my own training institute in hospitality. TIAH was born of this passion,' the award-winning entrepreneur, who has travelled to more than 60 countries, noted. According to Priyanka, the global exposure she received deeply influenced her perspective and inspired her to help others grow personally and professionally. 'I realised that personality development isn't just about image—it's about self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to connect with others meaningfully,' added the recipient of Asia's Top 100 Influential Women Awards' Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2021. Priyanka hopes to continue engaging with inspiring people in Bahrain and beyond. She also has plans to help individuals from underprivileged groups develop their confidence and expand TIAH's existing programmes to include skills like emotional intelligence and digital communication. The International Influencers Awards will be hosted at the Ramee Grand Hotel in Seef. Doors open at 7pm and tickets are available on Platinumlist.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store