NPR's Book of the Day Short story collection 'Heart Lamp' is the winner of the International Booker Prize
Jul 30, 2025
In this discussion, author Banu Mushtaq shares insights about her award-winning collection, 'Heart Lamp,' the first short story collection to win the International Booker Prize. Mushtaq highlights the resilience of Muslim women in India, delving into themes of freedom, sisterhood, and empowerment amid oppressive societal norms. She and translator Deepa Bhasthi explore the significance of translating Kannada literature and the emotional depth of the stories, celebrating their cultural impact and the necessity for broader representation in literature.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Heartlamp’s Unique Booker Win
- Heartlamp is the first short story collection and first Kannada language work to win the International Booker.
- The collection depicts women in southern India enduring poverty and patriarchy with resilience.
Prize Validates Women’s Stories
- Banu Mushtaq feels winning the prize validates the struggles of women inspiring her stories and casts global light on Kannada literature.
- Deepa Bashti reports widespread enthusiastic response across India beyond just Kannada-speaking regions.
Universal Women’s Resilience
- Though the characters have Muslim names, the stories reflect wider issues of women's resilience against oppression.
- The narratives address how women resist patriarchal and fundamentalist systems with humor, strength, and sisterhood.
