Reviewer: Snigdha Agrawal
BOLD, BRAVE, BANG ON…these are the words that best encapsulate the
stories in Heart Lamp, crafted in a deceptively simple yet deeply
relatable style. As someone who has lived in Karnataka for over three decades,
the geographic and cultural references struck a familiar chord, making the
narratives even more resonant. As a septuagenarian woman, I found myself
profoundly empathetic to the emotional and societal contexts within which the
female characters live, contexts marked by fear, suppression, violence, and
silence. Their pain often felt like a knife turning in the heart.
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| Snigdha Agrawal |
Personal
Favourites
Without giving away too much, I’d like to
highlight a few stories that made a lasting impression:
1.
The Shroud – A powerful tale of guilt and atonement that
lingers long after it ends.
2.
The Arabic
Teacher and Gobi Manchuri – A
sharply humorous story, veering into absurdity, yet grounded in socio-cultural
reality.
3.
Be a Woman
Once, Oh Lord! – The last story is a
profound narrative that ties the collection together with philosophical depth
and emotional force. The line, “…because I am your incomplete creation”,
becomes a rallying cry for every woman questioning the fairness of her
existence. It challenges divine infallibility itself: “If you were to build
the world again... Come to the earth as a woman, Prabhu.” The closing
leaves the reader stunned, reflective, and emotionally spent.
On
Translation and Interpretation
Deepa Bhasthi’s translation is commendable for
preserving the soul of the original text. Her deliberate choice not to italicise
or explain colloquial words within the main body respects the texture of the
source language. However, for readers not familiar with the culture and
traditions, this choice tends to shift the focus from the story with having to
search for its meaning. A glossary, either per chapter or at the end of the
book, would serve as a helpful companion, preventing disruptions in the reading
flow without compromising linguistic integrity.
I also found the frequent references to Hindu
mythology and characters from the Ramayana, somewhat tangential. While they may
have been intended to add a layer of intertextual or philosophical depth, they
occasionally distracted from the storytelling. The strength of these narratives
lies in their authenticity and emotional weight, elements that do not require
symbolic reinforcement to make their mark.
Final Thoughts
Heart Lamp is a fearless, uncompromising, and deeply
affecting collection that gives voice to women who have too often been rendered
voiceless. Banu Mushtaq’s storytelling is both a literary triumph and a social
statement; bold in its themes, brave in its execution, and bang on in its
impact. Her characters are not just stories on a page; they are echoes of real
lives, crying out for recognition, justice, and change.
The book’s Booker Prize win is not just a personal milestone for the author but a landmark moment for regional literature, for women’s voices, and the larger movement towards inclusive storytelling. It speaks not only for a community or gender, but for every silenced voice seeking dignity and justice. May Heart Lamp continue to shine its light across cultures, spark difficult yet necessary conversations, and reach the minds of readers in every corner of the world.
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