Exploring Gender, Identity, and Resistance in...

Exploring Gender, Identity, and Resistance in Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp: Selected Stories

Author Name : Dr. K. Sivaranjani, Dr. P. Rajeswari

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56025/IJARESM.2025.1305253458

ABSTRACT This research paper examines Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp: Selected Stories, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, which won the International Booker Prize for 2025 focusing on its exploration of gender roles, cultural identity, and resistance to patriarchal structures within the context of South Indian Muslim communities. Through a close reading of stories such as Stone Slabs for Shaista Mahal,Fire Rain, and Be a Woman Once, Oh Lord!, the paper analyses how Mushtaq employs narrative techniques to critique societal norms and highlight the resilience of women. The translator’s note by Bhasthi provides additional insight into the linguistic and cultural nuances, emphasizing the importance of multilingualism and the rejection of italics to preserve authenticity. Key themes include the tension between tradition and individuality, the impact of patriarchal control, and the role of storytelling in resistance. Drawing on feminist literary theory and postcolonial perspectives, this paper argues that Mushtaq’s work serves as a powerful act of dissent, aligning with the Kannada Bandaya Sahitya movement, and contributing to global discourses on gender and identity.