Writer Banu Mushtaq to chair 88th Kannada literary meet in Ballari

Kannada writer and International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq has been unanimously chosen as president of the 88th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelan scheduled to be held in Ballari in December 2025.

The decision was announced by president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) Mahesh Joshi at a press conference following an executive committee meeting of the parishat at a private hotel there on Sunday.

Mr. Joshi said that it was a matter of great pride that a senior woman writer has been chosen to preside over the literary conclave.

“Among the 87 sammelans so far, only four have been chaired by women writers. Now, Banu Mushtaq becomes the fifth to receive this honour,” he said.

“The executive committee also considered the names of senior writers Veena Shanteshwari and Malati Pattanashetti, but eventually finalised Banu Mushtaq,” Mr. Joshi said and added that Ms. Mushtaq has accepted the invitation.

“The decision of the executive committee was communicated to Ms. Mushtaq and she has accepted it. She responded positively saying that it is an honour and serving Kannada is her duty,” Mr. Joshi said.

The committee also resolved to specially felicitate journalist and writer Deepa Bhasthi during the sammelan, in recognition of her contribution in bringing Banu Mushtaq’s literary work to the global audience.

“I have held preliminary discussions regarding the sammelan with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi. They have all welcomed the decision and congratulated Banu Mushtaq,” he said.

A brief moment of drama unfolded during the press conference when after announcing Ms. Mushtaq’s name as the president of the sahitya sammelan, Mr. Joshi walked off the dais midway as journalists began asking questions about the selection of the executive committee meeting venue, the constitution of the reception committee for the event and the way the Sahitya Parishat is functioning under him.

With this appointment, Banu Mushtaq joins a distinguished group of women who have previously presided over the sahitya sammelan: Jayadevi Tai Ligade in Mandya (1971), Shantadevi Malawad in Bagalkot (2000), Kamala Hampana in Moodbidri (2003) and Geeta Nagabhushana in Gadag (2010).