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New Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Writer's duty is to stay true to what they believe, says author Banu Mushtaq
MYSURU: International Booker prize winner Banu Mushtaq said her stories are pro-people and filled with hope, avoiding conflict and despair. Speaking on 'Lighting the Way: Kannada, Women and the Booker's International Stage' during the 9th edition of the Mysuru Literature Festival 2025, organised by the Mysuru Literary Forum Charitable Trust and Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust at Hotel Southern Star here on Saturday, Mushtaq, who is also an activist and lawyer, explained that while lawyers and activists try to resolve conflicts and bring issues to a logical conclusion, as a writer she does not offer ready-made solutions. 'In my stories, I try to motivate readers to find solutions themselves,' she said. Recalling the 1970s, when there were agitations around issues of farmers, women, language, and the environment and the 1980s, which saw the rise of Dalit Bandaya Sahitya, feminist writing, and Muslim-sensitive literature in Karnataka, Mushtaq said there were around eight to ten Muslim writers inspired by Bandaya Sahitya. 'Dalit Bandaya Sahitya had a profound impact on our literature. At the time, most writers were Brahmin men, with very few women among them. Their perspectives were often treated as definitive. I found Muslim men were depicted as either extremely good or extremely bad. But I believe there are good and bad people among both Hindus and Muslims. So I chose to write in a way that challenged these male Brahminical narratives,' she said. 'Trying to keep everyone happy is hypocrisy. I faced threats, was banned by sections of the community, had a person barge into my office with a knife and try to kill me. But I didn't give in. During the Booker jury's review of my work, they saw that my stories weren't limited to one community or religion but addressed universal issues. Many Muslim organisations felicitated me,' she said.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Patriarchy exists in all cultures, a universal issue, says Banu Mushtaq
Kannada writer and International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq said that readers were perceiving a sense of universality in the central theme of her writings that exposes patriarchy. She was taking part in a panel discussion at the 9th edition of the Mysuru Literature Festival which got under way here on Saturday. The two-day festival is being organised by the Mysuru Literary Forum Charitable Trust and Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust. The discussion, moderated by writer and poet Bharath Diwakar, included writer and translator Deepa Bhasthi. It touched upon various interconnected topics including patriarchy, activism, feminism, identity, culture, translation, among others. In reply to a question, Ms. Mushtaq referred to criticism from a section of the Muslim leaders that her works were exposing the weakness or faults within the community, while a few others sneered at her stating that she was writing to win praise. But this is not true, said Ms. Mushtaq, citing from reviews of her work from across the globe. She pointed out that the characters and themes have a universality and was not about Muslim community alone as patriarchy exists in all cultures. 'In a telling sign of changing perceptions, the same critics recently honoured me in Hassan,' she said. Ms. Mushtaq said literature cannot bring closure in conflict situations but help open the door to it. As a lawyer and activist, the mind is oriented towards finding a closure of a case and securing compensation. But as a writer, she leaves it to the reader to explore the various possibilities, and the literature only creates a space for it, she added. The writer underscored how characters in her stories never drift towards pessimism or despair, and there is an undercurrent of optimism, light, and hope that veer towards life. Ms. Bhasthi, who translated a collection of short stories by Ms. Mushtaq, said the latter did not micromanage her translation or check for every sentence. 'But when I had doubts or wanted more clarity on an issue, Ms. Mushtaq was always there,' said Ms. Bhasti, underlining the trust that defined their partnership. The two touched upon how their collaboration was described in some quarters as a 'work of a Muslim author and a Hindu translator'. An attempt was made to thrust religious identity, and it was uncomfortable. I took up the work as the theme is universal,' said Ms. Bhasti. Earlier, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar inaugurated the literature festival. Prahalada Rama Rao, a former scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation, who was the chief guest, said that culture, art, creativity, etc., can flourish only when there is security from both external and internal forces. He said there was a time when India excelled in various spheres, but in the absence of security, that progress was impeded, and the nation became vulnerable to invasions and cultural erosion. 'A secure environment is the foundation on which intellectual and artistic pursuits like literature, etc., can thrive,' he said. Shubha Sanjay Urs, founder and director of the Mysuru Literature Festival, was present. The organisers said the two-day festival has scores of discussions on various themes, and is a platform for dialogue and creative exchange of ideas reflecting the evolving intellectual and cultural landscape of India.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Lot of parallels between Mysuru and London: Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq
International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq said that there were lots of similarities between Mysuru and London, and she did not perceive too many differences at all. Speaking at the Mysuru Literature Festival 2025 here on Saturday, Ms. Mushtaq, alluding to her recent visits to London after being awarded the coveted Booker award, said that both are cultural cities and have the same vibes. 'When I returned from London to Mysuru, I found more similarities like broad avenues, greenery, palaces and heritage buildings, vibrant culture, theatre activity, etc.,' she said. London is a cultural hub, and people flock to book festivals. Mysuru too has a similar culture, said the writer, pointing out to the commonalty that connects people of different regions. Ms. Mushtaq referred to a visit to the country side in the U.K. for a book festival and closed her eyes for some time to soak in the ambience. 'But when I opened my eyes, the landscape was such that I could immediately equate it with either Sakleshpur in Hassan or Madikeri in Kodagu,' she said. The literature festival was organised by the Mysuru Literary Forum Charitable Trust and Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust. ------------------eom---------------
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
9th edition of Mysuru Literature Festival to be held on July 5 and 6; to dish out food for thought, ideas for reflection
The 9th edition of the Mysuru Literature Festival will be held in the city on July 5 and 6 and will serve food for thought and ideas for reflection on a wide gamut of issues germane to the contemporary times. The annual festival is organised by the Mysuru Literary Forum Charitable Trust and Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust, and will be held at Hoel Southern Star. Shubha Sanjay Urs, founder and director of the Mysuru Literature Festival, said on Tuesday that the event will be inaugurated by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile royal family of Mysore. International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq and former scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation Prahalada Rama Rao will be the guests of honour. The inauguration will be followed by panel discussions and sessions featuring a veritable 'Who's Who' from the field of arts, culture, media, etc., and the programme will open with 'Lighting the Way: Kannada, Women, and the Booker's International State', featuring Ms. Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi in conversation with Bharath Diwakar. Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, will speak on legacy in 'A Name Inherited, A Voice Earned', while Ranjit Hoskote, Arundhathi Nath, and Deepti Navaratna will discuss translation and global reach in 'Transcending the Barriers of the Dialect and Reaching Out to the World'. Anita Nair and Mark Abott will explore crime fiction, while Romulus Whitaker, Janaki Lenin, and Ishan Shanavas will discuss issues related to conservation. On the first day, there will be a session on 'Battles and Bloodbaths of Yore', which will feature Anirudh Kanisetti and Arun Krishnan who will discuss historical storytelling. On the second day, Mani Shankar Aiyar of the Congress will be in discussion with Aroon Raman on 'Decades of Diplomacy, Democracy, and Political Developments', while the environmental themes will continue with Stephen Alter, Susheel Gyanchad, and Priya Davidar. Ms. Urs said the two-day event features both Kannada and English panels, and it will have almost 20 conferences or discussions in English and as many in Kananda, including engagement with publishers and literary agents. There will also be book releases by new and upcoming authors among others. The poster for the literary festival was released.
