Activism and social challenges
Since the 1980s, Mushtaq has been actively involved in movements aimed at challenging fundamentalism and social injustices in Karnataka. In 2000, she and her family faced a three-month social boycott due to her advocacy for Muslim women’s rights to enter mosques. Her support for Muslim students’ right to wear the hijab in schools has been a notable aspect of her activism.
Literary contributions
Mushtaq began her writing career in her late twenties, channeling her experiences and observations into powerful narratives. She has published six short story collections, a novel, an essay collection, and a poetry collection. Her story “Kari Nagaragalu” was adapted into the film Hasina in 2003.
Heart Lamp, Mushtaq’s first full-length work translated into English, is a collection of 12 short stories written between 1990 and 2023. The stories delve into the everyday lives and struggles of women in southern India’s patriarchal communities, addressing themes such as reproductive rights, faith, caste, power, and oppression.
Notable stories from the collection
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Holy Cow explores the terror of interfaith relationships in a climate of increasing religious intolerance.
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Noorah’s House shows how architecture itself reflects and enforces gendered limitations.
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The Portrait deals with the alienation of a widow erased from her own family’s memory.
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Child Bride gives voice to a girl who sees through a marriage custom that stole her childhood.
The International Booker Prize
The International Booker Prize is awarded annually for a single book translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland. Established in 2005, the prize aims to encourage the reading of quality fiction from around the world and recognises both the author and the translator equally. The £50,000 prize is divided between them, highlighting the vital role of translation in global literature.
Milestone for Kannada literature
Banu Mushtaq’s win is a significant milestone for Kannada literature, bringing it to the forefront of global literary recognition. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated Mushtaq, stating: “This is a moment of celebration for Kannada, Kannadigas, and Karnataka.”
Mushtaq’s journey from a socially boycotted activist to an internationally acclaimed author exemplifies the transformative power of literature. Her stories not only illuminate the lives of marginalised women but also challenge readers to confront societal norms and injustices.
