Banu Mushtaq, a lawyer and fearless women's rights activist from Karnataka, has clinched the International Booker Prize 2025 for Heart Lamp, a hauntingly beautiful collection of short stories originally written in Kannada. These tales, spanning over three decades, pull us deep into the hearts and struggles of ordinary Muslim women navigating society's quiet cruelties.

In Heart Lamp, women face emotional isolation, societal expectations, and silent rebellion. One story shows a woman about to end her life, only to be saved by a tender embrace from her daughter. Another depicts a husband obsessed with stilettos, blind to the pain his wife hides. The book paints a raw picture of misogyny hidden in prayer rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.

The book was masterfully translated by Deepa Bhasthi, who made history as the first Indian translator to win the International Booker. She handpicked the stories herself, bringing Banu's sharp, emotional voice into English with care and authenticity.

The Booker panel praised it as “life-affirming” and “radical,” expanding what we think translation can be. With this win, Mushtaq joins literary legends and puts Kannada literature on the global stage.