<p>Mysuru: International Booker Prize awardees Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi said that the Booker Prize is an honour to the language and literature of the land, and the country at large. </p>.<p>They were speaking at the inaugural panel discussion of the ninth Mysuru Literature Festival, organised by the Mysuru Literary Forum and Charitable Trust and Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust, in the city on <br>Saturday.</p>.<p>The panel discussion, titled ‘Lighting the Way: Kannada, Women and the Booker’s International Stage’, was moderated by Bharath Diwakar.</p>.Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to chair 88th Sahitya Sammelana in Ballari.<p>Banu Mushtaq reflected on the collective celebration of the award across Karnataka and beyond.</p>.<p>“It felt like a single sky lit up by countless fireflies,” she said, referring to the support from people of all backgrounds, including her community.</p>.<p>Recalling the influence of the Dalit literary movement and other progressive currents in the 1980s, she said themes, like patriarchy, are universal, cutting across time, place, religion, and gender <br />mindsets.</p>.<p>Banu Mushtaq dwelt on how her usage of words in the daily routine of her community in her work was accepted and validated by<br /> writers. </p>.<p>She recounted threats she faced earlier for her writing but affirmed her belief in the power of literature to build bridges, spread understanding, and spark <br />hope.</p>.<p>“As a writer, I want to help people find solutions to their problems so that the story lives on in their lives,” she said.</p>.<p>Banu Mushtaq mentioned her upcoming works, including her seventh collection of short stories, a novel titled Kubra, 15 stories currently being translated, and an autobiography due in December. Though she writes in Kannada, she has also translated works from Urdu, she said.</p>.<p>Fondly comparing London and Mysuru, she said both cities share a love for heritage, culture, and literature.</p>.<p>Translator Deepa Bhasthi emphasised the deep trust required between a writer and a translator.</p>.<p>She also highlighted her conscious effort to decolonise translation by retaining culturally rooted words, like seragu and rotti, instead of replacing them with English equivalents.</p>.<p>Ganesh of Abhiruchi Prakashana, which published Banu’s book, shared that they had printed 5,500 copies before the award. After the Booker win, over 15,000 copies have been printed.</p>.<p>Cut-off box - ‘Punishment must for derogatory remarks against women’ Responding to questions about allegations against the Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq said “The vision of the Maharaja who established the Parishat is what matters. The Parishat is made up of many people. Let us await the findings of the investigation.” Speaking at the Mysuru District Journalists’ Association she said she has not yet decided whether she will accept the invitation to chair the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana. She also urged the state government to enact a strong law to punish those who make derogatory remarks against women.</p>
<p>Mysuru: International Booker Prize awardees Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi said that the Booker Prize is an honour to the language and literature of the land, and the country at large. </p>.<p>They were speaking at the inaugural panel discussion of the ninth Mysuru Literature Festival, organised by the Mysuru Literary Forum and Charitable Trust and Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust, in the city on <br>Saturday.</p>.<p>The panel discussion, titled ‘Lighting the Way: Kannada, Women and the Booker’s International Stage’, was moderated by Bharath Diwakar.</p>.Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to chair 88th Sahitya Sammelana in Ballari.<p>Banu Mushtaq reflected on the collective celebration of the award across Karnataka and beyond.</p>.<p>“It felt like a single sky lit up by countless fireflies,” she said, referring to the support from people of all backgrounds, including her community.</p>.<p>Recalling the influence of the Dalit literary movement and other progressive currents in the 1980s, she said themes, like patriarchy, are universal, cutting across time, place, religion, and gender <br />mindsets.</p>.<p>Banu Mushtaq dwelt on how her usage of words in the daily routine of her community in her work was accepted and validated by<br /> writers. </p>.<p>She recounted threats she faced earlier for her writing but affirmed her belief in the power of literature to build bridges, spread understanding, and spark <br />hope.</p>.<p>“As a writer, I want to help people find solutions to their problems so that the story lives on in their lives,” she said.</p>.<p>Banu Mushtaq mentioned her upcoming works, including her seventh collection of short stories, a novel titled Kubra, 15 stories currently being translated, and an autobiography due in December. Though she writes in Kannada, she has also translated works from Urdu, she said.</p>.<p>Fondly comparing London and Mysuru, she said both cities share a love for heritage, culture, and literature.</p>.<p>Translator Deepa Bhasthi emphasised the deep trust required between a writer and a translator.</p>.<p>She also highlighted her conscious effort to decolonise translation by retaining culturally rooted words, like seragu and rotti, instead of replacing them with English equivalents.</p>.<p>Ganesh of Abhiruchi Prakashana, which published Banu’s book, shared that they had printed 5,500 copies before the award. After the Booker win, over 15,000 copies have been printed.</p>.<p>Cut-off box - ‘Punishment must for derogatory remarks against women’ Responding to questions about allegations against the Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq said “The vision of the Maharaja who established the Parishat is what matters. The Parishat is made up of many people. Let us await the findings of the investigation.” Speaking at the Mysuru District Journalists’ Association she said she has not yet decided whether she will accept the invitation to chair the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana. She also urged the state government to enact a strong law to punish those who make derogatory remarks against women.</p>