Authors: Mohammad Shah Alam Chowdhury, Mili Rahman, Mohd. Rafi, Md. Sakibur Rahman Malik
Abstract: Recent decades have witnessed a significant transition in contemporary Kannada literature, driven by the advent of socially concerned writers who have broadened regional literary discourse to engage in worldwide intellectual dialogues. Banu Mushtaq holds a prominent position among these literary voices due to her feminist perspectives, secular outlook, and portrayal of neglected Muslim communities in Karnataka. This dissertation critically analyzes Banu Mushtaq’s literary contributions and explores how her works have enhanced the global reputation of contemporary Kannada literature. The study examines the thematic depth of her short stories, socio-political narratives, feminist interactions, and linguistic creativity through the lens of postcolonial and subaltern literary theories. It also examines how translation, digital literary dissemination, and multicultural reading have facilitated the transcendence of Kannada literature beyond regional confines. This research employs qualitative textual analysis and secondary scholarly sources to assert that Mushtaq's writings serve as both localized narratives and universal human texts that explore themes of identity, gender, religion, class, and resistance. The paper additionally examines the influence of contemporary Kannada authors in shaping India's multilingual literary modernism. This research situates Banu Mushtaq within the wider South Asian literary traditions, illustrating how regional writing can achieve global significance through local authenticity and socio-cultural involvement. This study enhances modern literary criticism by emphasizing the increasing global importance of Kannada literature and the pivotal role of women writers within this domain.
