### Breaking Stereotypes: "Heart Lamp" Wins International Booker Prize for Translation

The collaboration highlights the empowerment of Indian voices in global literature while addressing social justice themes.

Banu Mushtaq’s groundbreaking book "Heart Lamp" recently made history as it became the first collection of stories to win the esteemed International Booker Prize. Remarkably, it also marks the first time a work translated from Kannada, a southern Indian language, has achieved this honor. However, what sets "Heart Lamp" apart is its unique approach; rather than translating a pre-existing work, translator Deepa Bhasthi meticulously curated the stories from Mushtaq's extensive portfolio of over 60 pieces, published in Kannada-language journals over the past three decades.

This award-winning partnership signifies a transformative dynamic within the author-translator relationship, empowering Bhasthi and showcasing the changing landscape of literary translation in India. As translations of diverse Indian languages increasingly find their place in English literature, the voices of Indian authors are reaching new audiences, thereby enriching the global literary tapestry.

Mushtaq, 77, a prominent author, lawyer, and activist, describes her work as a means to challenge societal norms and advocate for social justice. "I myself have broken all kinds of stereotypes, and now my book has also broken all stereotypes," she expressed in a phone interview, reflecting on her journey as a minority woman confronting patriarchy. The stories within "Heart Lamp" portray the nuanced lives of ordinary women, many of whom are Muslim and intricately explore feminist narratives. This win not only celebrates literary excellence but also illustrates the strength of representation in literature.