'' ' HEART LAMP ' HONOR '' : INDIA'S BANU MUSHTAQ

'' I HAVE TO SAY what's necessary for society,'' Indian author on winning Booker Prize for her masterly writings.

All writers draw on their experience, whether consciously or not, says Indian author Banu Mushtaq - including the titular tail of attempted. self-immolation in her International Booker Prize-winning short story collection, as reported by AFP.

Banu, who won the coveted literature prize as the first author writing in Kannada - an Indian regional language - said the author's responsibility is to reflect the truth.

'' You cannot simply write describing a rose, '' said the 77-year-old, who is also a lawyer and activist.

'' You cannot say it has got such a fragrance, such petals, such colour. You have to write about the thorns also. It is your responsibility, and you have to do it.''

Her book, Heart Lamp, a collection of 12 powerful short stories, is also her first book translated into English with the prize shared with her translator Deepa Bhasthi.

Critics praised the collection for its dry and gentle humour, and its searing commentary on the patriarchy, caste and religion.

Banu has carved an alternative path in life, challenging societal restrictions and perceptions.

As a young girl worried about her future, she said she started writing to improve her '' chances of marriage ''.

Born into a Muslim Family in 1948, she studied in Kannada, which is spoken mostly in India's southern Karnataka state by around 43 million people, rather than Urdu, the language of Islamic texts in India and which most Muslim girls learnt.

She attended college, and worked as a journalist and also as a high school teacher.

Banu's body of work soans six short story collections, as essay collection and poetry.

'' They [ women ] suffer this type of suppression and this type of exploitation, this type of patriarchy everywhere,'' she said. '' A woman is a woman, all over the world.''

While accepting that even the people for whom she writes may not like her work, Banu said she remained dedicated to providing wider truths.

'' I have to say what is necessary for the society,'' she said.

'' The writer is always pro-people ......... With the people, and for the people.''

The World Students Society thanks The Express Tribune.