Booker Prize-winning translator Deepa Bhasti was honored at a special felicitation ceremony organized by the Kodagu District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, (KDKSP) in collaboration with the Kodagu District Women Writers’ Association and the Madikeri Taluk Kasapa Samyukta Shraya, held at the Red Bricks Reception Hall, Madikeri.
Renowned poet and translator J.N. Tejashree from Hassan, speaking at the event, remarked, “Deepa Bhasti has gone beyond conventional translation methods and pioneered a new path of creative translation through her work ‘Heart Lamp’.”
Deepa Bhasti, who translated eminent Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq’s acclaimed work ‘EdeyaHanate’ into English as ‘Heart Lamp’, has been widely recognized for preserving the beauty and charm of the Kannada language in her translation. Tejashree observed that previous English translations of Kannada literature often relied heavily on providing word meanings or using italics to make the content accessible. Bhasti, however, has moved beyond such literal renderings, deeply immersing herself in the essence of Kannada, and has established a bold new standard in translation.
A New Milestone in Literary Translation
The event was inaugurated by Prof. Padmashekar, retired Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka Sanskrit University, who lit the ceremonial lamp. In his address, he called Bhasti a “shining star of translated literature” and “a beacon of hope for the future.” He emphasized that preserving such literary light is a collective responsibility.
He also praised Banu Mushtaq for her deep and nuanced depiction of the cultural and psychological landscapes of the Muslim community through her writings. Although Bhasti and Mushtaq hail from different communities and backgrounds, Prof. Padmashekar lauded their synergy in creating literature that bridges those divides.
“International literature creates dialogue between languages, transcending boundaries,” he said. “Deepa Bhasti’s English translation of a Kannada work is a powerful example of this, especially as ‘Heart Lamp’ becomes the first short story collection to win the Booker Prize.”
He lamented the lack of translations of important Kannada works into English, despite the richness of the language, which has produced literary greats from Pampa to Kuvempu.
Ambassadors of Kannada Literature
The felicitation described both Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasti as “ambassadors of Kannada literature on the global stage.” Mushtaq’s work is not merely translated but recreated through Bhasti’s lens, which elevated it to Booker-winning status. It was noted that in a sense, Mushtaq was fortunate to have had her work translated by Bhasti, whose effort has brought international recognition to Kannada literature.
Accepting the honor, Deepa Bhasti said:
“I consciously used Kannada words within the translation to build a bridge between Kannada and the colonial language, English. This was done not just to retain the originality but also to introduce global readers to the linguistic soul of Kannada.” She emphasized the need to move beyond English-centric interpretations and highlighted the importance of more translations to challenge the perceived superiority of English.
Calls for National Recognition
Senior journalist G. Chidvilas, who was the chief guest, expressed hope that Deepa Bhasti would soon receive state and national-level honors, including the State Kannada Sahitya Parishat Award.
Former District KASAP. President T.P. Ramesh also praised Bhasti for raising the profile of Kannada on the world stage. Presiding over the event, District Kasap President M.P. Keshav Kamath highlighted Kannada’s 2,500-year literary heritage and its eight Jnanpith laureates, while lamenting the lack of translations of key works. He emphasized the significance of the first-ever Booker Prize being awarded for the translation of a Kannada literary work.
Honorary Membership
On the occasion, Deepa Bhasti was awarded Honorary Membership of the State Kannada Sahitya Parishat by M.P. Keshav Kamath.
Prof. Padmashekar and J.N. Tejashree, who graced the event as chief guests, were also felicitated by the District KASAP.
