Kannada writer and 2025 International Booker Award winner Banu Mushtaq rejected the proposal to take refuge during a book promotion program in London and clarified that she wanted to stay in India. The 77 -year -old writer from Hasan said this at an event organized by the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists.
During the promotion of her book ‘Heart Lamp’ in London, a woman asked her if she was planning to take shelter in the United Kingdom due to “unrest” in India. To this, Banu gave a clear and clear answer, “I said that I do not need it, and we will continue to live in India. Who told this unrest?” He said that London is a cultural center, where many writers are doing excellent literary work, but their roots are in India.
Banu’s book ‘Heart Lamp’, which is a short story collection translated by Deepa Bhati from Kannada, won this year’s International Booker Award. This is the first time a Kannada composition and short story collection has received this honor. At the award ceremony, Banu said, “The award reflects the true ability of Kannada language and literature.”
Recalling his writing journey, she said that she had reached the global stage from traveling by bullock cart. Banu insisted that this honor is not personal, but a team work victory. His stories, written between 1990 and 2023, are mainly focused on the struggles of Muslim women and socio-political issues.
Banu also reported that during his visit to London, his suitcase, which had his medicines and Mussoorie silk sarees selected for the ceremony, was lost. His daughter, who lives in Bahrain, brought a sari to her in London, but her desire to wear a Mussoorie silk saree remained incomplete.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appreciated his achievement, saying, “This is a moment of pride for Kannada literature and our culture.” Banu said that she would not make any changes in her writing style and will continue to work towards further recognition of Kannada literature on the global platform.
