Banu Mushtaq, author of ‘Heart Lamp’ holds the trophy after winning the International Booker Prize, in London.AP/PTI

Quitting her medical studies to pursue a creative dream, Banu Mushtaq’s journey has come full circle with a historic win at the prestigious Booker Prize. Heart Lamp, her collection of 12 short stories, translated from Kannada into English by Deepa Bhasthi, has made Mushtaq the first-ever Kannada author and the first Muslim woman from India to receive the honour. This also marks the first time a Kannada-language book has entered, let alone won, the International Booker Prize, making it a landmark moment for regional Indian literature on the global stage.“To even stand among these extraordinary finalists is an honour. This is an affirmation that we, as individuals and as a global community, can thrive when we embrace diversity and celebrate our differences and uplift one another. Together, we create a world where every story matters,” she said. Thanking the committee and her team, Banu added, “Kannada is a language that sings of resilience and nuance. To be able to write in Kannada is to inherit a legacy of cosmic wonder and earthly wisdom. This book was born from the belief that no story is ever small. May this win light the way for more stories from unheard corners.”