'No language more tolerant than Kannada': Booker winner Banu Mushtaq says Kannadigas are misunderstood

Speaking at a felicitation ceremony in Bengaluru, Banu Mushtaq addressed the growing perception that Kannada speakers are intolerant of other languages.

Updated on: Jun 3, 2025, 11:21:10 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Banu Mushtaq, who recently brought global recognition to Kannada literature by winning the International Booker Prize, on Monday asserted that the language and its people are widely misunderstood beyond Karnataka.

Banu Mushtaq, author of Heart Lamp, is the first Kannada writer to have won the International Booker Prize in London. (Photo: Alberto Pezzali/AP )

Speaking at a felicitation ceremony held at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, the acclaimed writer addressed the growing perception that Kannada speakers are intolerant of other languages, PTI reported.

(Also Read: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah lauds Banu Mushtaq’s International Booker win )

“Many journalists from national media have asked me about Karnataka’s supposed linguistic intolerance,” she said according to PTI. “And I’ve told them clearly, this is a misreading. Kannada is among the most tolerant languages in the country. It has welcomed and nurtured voices from diverse backgrounds.”

Mushtaq, whose novel Heart Lamp was translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, also took pride in the literary achievements of the language. “Kannada stands tall among Indian languages, with eight Jnanpith awardees and now, a Booker. That speaks volumes,” she noted.

(Also Read: Review: Heart Lamp by Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq )

Cash award to Booker winners

To honour their contribution, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a cash award of ₹10 lakh each to Mushtaq and Bhasthi. He also assured government support for translating Mushtaq’s future works into other Indian and global languages.

Praising the writer’s courage in tackling superstition and voicing the concerns of Muslim women, the Chief Minister said, “She writes with bravery. And her words build bridges. Literature, at its best, unites society, and Karnataka will always support such voices.”

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar joined the celebration, calling Mushtaq and Bhasthi the “global ambassadors of Kannada.” He said the Booker Prize win had brought the Kannada language to the world stage. “The Kannada lamp is now burning brighter than ever,” he remarked.

(With agency inputs)

(Also Read: Who is Banu Mushtaq? Indian author wins International Booker Prize | 5 things )

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.