Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq (translated by Deepa Bhasthi) (Hardcover)

Genre: Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Global Literature

Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq (translated by Deepa Bhasthi) is a stirring and beautifully crafted collection of twelve short stories that paints vivid portraits of women and girls in Muslim communities of southern India. Rich with empathy and sharp wit, these narratives explore the everyday struggles and quiet triumphs of their characters, blending domestic realism with subtle acts of resistance.

Synopsis
Spanning over three decades of writing, these tales capture life at its most raw and revealing—atrophied marriages, marginalized voices, and the persistent strength found in ordinary people. Mushtaq’s writing is both colloquial and fiercely observant, bringing to life audacious grandmothers, hapless husbands, spirited children, and resilient mothers. Each story is rooted in social nuance, often exposing the weight of caste, faith, and patriarchy, while also celebrating small gestures of hope and solidarity.

Key Themes & Highlights

• Quiet Resilience: Women persisting amid emotional suffocation and societal constraints, often through understated defiance.

• Humor and Humanity: Moments of dry humor lighten the narrative without diluting its emotional depth.

• Vivid, Local Voices: Dialogue and scenes feel steeped in oral storytelling tradition, anchored in regional rhythms.

• Cultural Reframing through Translation: The translation retains the texture of the original Kannada, preserving cultural resonance while introducing the stories to new readers.

Why Read It?

• Awarded the International Booker Prize 2025, making it the first short-story collection—and the first work originally in Kannada—to receive the honor.

• A literary milestone: both author Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi achieved landmark recognition, foregrounding regional Indian literature on a global stage.

• Compassionate and incisive: Mushtaq’s socially engaged storytelling is both intimate and politically resonant, offering deep insight into human relationships and societal structures.