Meet Banu Mushtaq: Author Of 'Heart Lamp', Second Indian To Win Booker Prize, Women Rights Advocate

Banu Mushtaq is an Indian activist, lawyer and writer who hails from Karnataka. The author has written several books. However, the majority of her works remain primarily in Kannada. Banu was born into a Muslim family in 1948. Soon, her love for storytelling made her well-known among her peers. She was not just a smart student but also an extremely creative one as well.

Banu Mushtaq focused most of her writings on women's lives, caste, power and oppression. Her writing shed light on the unspoken tales of women around the country. However, her work didn't go unrewarded, as she has recently been awarded the International Booker Prize along with her translator, Deepa Bhasthi, for her book, Heart Lamp.

Banu Mushtaq learned to speak Kannada within a few days

Banu Mushtaq was enrolled in a Kannada-language missionary school in Shivamogga at the tender age of 8. However, there was a condition to her admission that the author had to learn to read and write Kannada within six months. However, Banu did not just learn to do so but exceeded everyone's expectations by beginning to write and read within a few days of school. 

Banu Mushtaq's writing talents are not bound by language

People take years to master a language, but Banu Mushtaq has mastered several languages, including Hindi, English, Kannada, and Dakhni Urdu. While she primarily writes in Kannada, her works are often translated into several languages like Urdu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and, most recently, English. This decision was made by Banu not only to expand her market but also to bring ground-rooted stories of women from across the country to everyone willing to read.

Banu Mushtaq becomes the first Kannada author to win the Booker prize

Banu Mushtaq became the first Kannada author to win the annual Booker Prize. The author won the prize for the best English-translated fiction. What makes the moment even more historic is that Heart Lamp is the second Indian book to win international honour after Geetanjali Shree and translator Daisy Rockwell's Tomb of Sand, originally called Ret Samadhi, in 2022. Talking about this breathtaking moment, Banu said:

"This feels like a thousand fireflies lighting a single sky – brief, brilliant and utterly collective."

Banu Mushtaq has been an active advocate of women's rights

Apart from being a phenomenal author, Banu Mushtaq is also known for her advocacy of women's rights. She has often used her legal knowledge to question the discrimination against women. Additionally, her stories often reflect how religion, society and politics demand unquestioning obedience from women while inflicting cruelty upon them. Banu, in her personal life, also fought off these patriarchal norms and defied social expectations by marrying a man of her choice. 

Banu Mushtaq wrote her first short story in middle school

Banu Mushtaq's writing journey began in middle school when she penned her first short story. However, it was at the age of 26 when her writing first got published in the Kannada magazine, Prajamata. Born in a large Muslim family, Banu received enormous support from her father, who stood by her despite the authoritative nature of her school and fought against the authorities of the educational institute with her. 

Banu Mushtaq was inspired by progressive movements

While Banu Mushtaq is truly an inspiration for many, the question arises of where she found her inspiration. Banu's brilliant writing stems from the progressive movements in Karnataka. The author travelled across states and was involved in the Bandaya Sahitya movement, which gave her the strength to write. For the unversed, Bandaya Sahitya was a progressive protest that challenged cast and class oppression.

What are your thoughts on the journey of Banu Mushtaq? Let us know.

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