Madikeri: “Hridaya Deepa,” a short story collection in Kannada by acclaimed writer Banu Mushtaq, has received international acclaim after its English translation, “Heart Lamp”, won the prestigious International Booker Prize 2025. The translator behind this honour is Deepa Bhasthi, a native of Kodagu district.

Deepa Bhasthi worked on the translation for four months from her home in the Rifle Range locality of Madikeri. She, along with the author Banu Mushtaq, received the Booker Prize in England late on Tuesday night.

Reacting to the achievement, Deepa’s father, B.N. Prakash, expressed happiness and spoke about her passion for literature. A student of English, Deepa translated the book under the guidance of renowned Kannada scholar Dr Taltaje Vasanthkumar, based in Mumbai. Her father shared that she often worked late into the night, sometimes up to 2 or 3 am, striving to find precise English expressions for Kannada words.

Deepa Bhasthi’s academic journey spans multiple disciplines. After her early schooling in Chennai and SSLC at Kodagu Vidyalaya, she pursued science at the pre-university level. Later, she switched to commerce and completed her B.Com degree at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College. She went on to pursue postgraduation studies in journalism at Mangalore University and worked with several newspapers before devoting herself to literary translation.

Daughter of B.N. Prakash and Sudha, Deepa Bhasthi is the granddaughter of noted Kodagu physician Dr Nanjundeshwara, and the wife of C.R. Nanayya. She has gained recognition for translating major Kannada literary works into English. Her previous translations include works by Dr Shivaram Karanth and short story pioneer Kodagina Gowramma.

The international recognition for “Heart Lamp” not only honours Deepa’s contribution but also brings Kannada literature into the global spotlight. The fact that a translator from Kodagu has achieved this feat has sparked pride among literature lovers in the region.