Rupi Kaur, a Canadian best-selling poet, is alive and thriving.
There are several rumors on the internet that the poet had passed away, but these rumors are false. The urban legend that Kaur had died was a social media hoax.
Kaur often speaks about topics like self-love, female empowerment, and healing, as well as mental health within her poetry. Her writing is also strongly associated with feminism, intersectional identity, moral struggles, and survival.
Kaur’s debut collection of poetry, Milk and Honey (2014), is a collection of over 100 poems on sensitive topics like grief, trauma healing, and discrimination, has sold over two million copies worldwide and has been translated into 30 languages.
In addition to writing and performing, Kaur has been widely known for her activism and vocal stance on human rights.
Kaur’s Instagram profile has also made her a social media personality, with more than 16 million followers on the platform.
The best-selling poet, who is of Indian origin, was the first person to have her poem, “The sun and her flowers”, printed at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
Rupi Kaur’s Contributions to Poetry
Rupi Kaur’s contribution to modern poetry has been immensely impactful. Her words touch on topics which are generally considered as taboos and are often neglected in the literary world. She has not only shed light on difficult subjects such as patriarchy, violence, racism, and misogyny but offered a platform for people to share their own stories of how these issues have affected them.
Kaur’s work often juxtaposes the personal with the political — she frequently speaks about both the hardships and triumphs experienced in the personal lives of many women and throughout her writing, she frequently weaves in moments of healing, as well as her own struggles.
Many of Kaur’s poems also center on the importance of culture and family, as well as being of South Asian origin, and embracing all intersections of identity. Through her work, she has continued to challenge the traditional views of poetry and break boundaries that have been long established.
Kaur has also spoken out against censorship, rejecting the notion that her creative expression should be limited by anyone else. Her openness and frankness, without focusing on the sensational, have encouraged many to have courage to write their own stories and challenges concepts such as nationalism and rape culture.
Kaur has transformed the landscape of modern poetry making her an icon of the genre.
Rupi Kaur and Mental Health
Rupi Kaur also continuously uses her platform to speak out about mental health issues, from her own journey through depression to the various traumas experienced by other people.
Her work often focuses on the importance of self-care and self-love, reminding her readers that it is okay to make mistakes, to ask for help, and to go through phases of healing and rebirth.
Kaur’s work has opened up conversations around the stigmas associated with mental health, creating a culture of compassion and understanding. Through her language and poetry, she invites her readers to rejoice in brokenness and to promote mental health literacy.
In her own words, “A cup of tea can’t cure what ails, but it can heal a broken heart.”
Kaur’s bold and honest take on mental health has not only changed the ways that conversations on the subject are perceived, but has helped to reduce the stigma around it. Her words provide a source of comfort to those who are struggling and offer hope to those who find themselves stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage.
Rupi Kaur and Feminism
Kaur is also known for her involvement and advocacy in the feminist movement. Throughout her writing, she explores the correlations and divide between femininity and feminism, from traditional gender roles to topics such as intersectionality.
Her work challenges the traditional understanding of the term ‘feminism’ which has been largely framed as an issue of gender inequality, while acknowledging the other forms of sexism in which women are faced with, such as racism, classism and xenophobia.
Kaur’s work speaks to generations of women and encourages them to reclaim their right to be seen, heard and respected. Her work speaks against all forms of abuse, violence and a system that is designed to keep women and minorities silent.
Kaur also introduces her readers to the concept of love — from the loving bond between mothers and daughters to the importance of loving oneself. Her words challenge readers to strive for more and to reclaim the power of their own narrative.
Her most prominent feminist statement to her audiences is her message of self-love — that all forms of love, including the love of self, should be nurtured, sacred, and celebrated.
Rupi Kaur and Social Connectedness
Kaur also touches on social connectedness through her writing, reminding us that true success often lies in the connections we make with our communities.
Throughout her work, Kaur talks about relationships — from the familial ties between mothers and daughters to the differences between husband and wife, between sisters, and between friends.
Kaur’s work also speaks about the importance of creating meaningful connections within our communities, of trusting the process and understanding that sometimes we have to go through difficult times to get to where we want to be.
At the heart of Kaur’s work is an understanding of the importance of creating supportive, meaningful relationships with those around us. Through her words, she talks about how our relationships with others shape who we are and how differently we see the world.
In her own words, “We have to look out for each other. Keeping each other safe is the activity of a village. It’s the activity of a community. That’s how we survive.”
Rupi Kaur and Empowerment
Rupi Kaur has also been embraced as an icon of female empowerment and her writing speaks to this concept directly.
Kaur’s work speaks to the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all definition of feminism or womanhood. Her poetry speaks to the power of sisterhood and encourages her readers to stand together, united and powerful.
In her words, Kaur simply yet powerfully encourages her readers to find the courage to love themselves, to stand up for the rights of others, to be kind, and to make change.
In addition to speaking of self-love, Kaur speaks to the urge for justice for every woman who’s been wronged, every woman who’s been silenced, every woman who has felt invisible or taken for granted.
Through her writing, Kaur reflects that society’s idea that women should be quiet and docile has caused a kind of amnesia where women have forgotten their power.
In her own words, “It isn’t our job to be the prettiest. It isn’t our job to cater to men. It isn’t our job to fit any mold. Our job is to take up space. To live loud. And be free.”