Bengaluru – The Karnataka government has chosen Banu Mushtaq as the chief guest for the upcoming Mysuru Dasara inauguration, reportedly citing her association with the Booker Prize. However, this decision has stirred controversy.

Social media discussions have highlighted that the actual Booker recognition was awarded to the English translation of Banu Mushtaq's Kannada work – and that too, because of the translator, Deepa Bhasthi, who authored the acclaimed English version titled "The Heart Lamp."Monte Carlo Mens Solid Lace Up Genuine Leather Casual Shoes (201803FW)

A widely circulated message reads as follows:

“The irony is that while the Booker Prize came to Kannada, it did so not because of the original author, but because of the translator. The Kannada public has been misled. The original Kannada book was written by Banu Mushtaq, but the Booker was awarded only for the translated English version by Deepa Bhasthi. While both could have been acknowledged during the award announcement, the prize is specifically for the translated work, and thus, the recognition is rightly Deepa Bhasthi’s.

There are two categories of the Booker Prize:

The original Booker Prize, given to works of fiction originally written in English.

The International Booker Prize, awarded for translated fiction, recognizing the translator as the primary recipient.

Therefore, it was Deepa Bhasthi’s impactful translation that earned the Booker, not Banu Mushtaq’s original work. Had it been translated by someone less skilled, even a 'Joker' prize wouldn’t have come our way.

It is Deepa Bhasthi who truly brought the Booker to Kannada. Hence, she would be the more appropriate guest of honour for this year’s Mysuru Dasara inauguration."

This controversy and debate are currently trending across various platforms.