Heart Lamp-Banu Mushtaq

Heart Lamp is a deeply evocative collection of twelve stories by Banu Mushtaq, originally written in Kannada between 1990 and 2023. Translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, the book portrays the lives of MuslimÑand at times DalitÑwomen in southern India, capturing their resilience and struggles within patriarchal, caste-bound societies. With dry humor and vivid, colloquial prose, Mushtaq gives voice to characters like spirited children, defiant grandmothers, and oppressed mothers navigating societal expectations. The stories blend emotional depth with sharp social critique, making the collection a rich exploration of gender, faith, and survival.