Rupi Kaur is a renowned Canadian-Punjabi spoken word poet, author, and singer-songwriter. Classifying her work into a single genre is difficult as it spans multiple disciplines, including poetry, performance art, songwriting, and spoken word. However, she is most commonly associated with the feminist and postcolonial poetry movements. This can be seen in her works, which often focus on themes of gender-based violence and colonialism, as well as women’s empowerment.
Since her debut collection of poems, Milk and Honey, Kaur has become an international sensation. Her powerful spoken word pieces and evocative photographs have become signature elements of her work, allowing her to bridge the gap between literature and the visual arts. In her works, she nearly always uses images to accompany her words, creating an interplay between the literary and the visual that is quintessentially Rupi Kaur.
Kaur’s writing style has been described as mesmerizing and declarative. Her words are often both powerful and direct, allowing her to convey her message with an emotional intensity that readers can comprehend and connect with. This, coupled with her poetic use of composition and punctuation, allows for an optic of pain that is shared with the reader, no matter the language.
The genre in which Kaur has established her unique style of writing is the vast and ever-evolving field of multi-disciplines associated with feminist and postcolonial poetry and discourse. She has developed a unique style of writing and formatting that allows her to draw her poems to life in an almost cinematic fashion. Her style of writing is filled with bittersweet grace, forlorn pain, hidden trauma, and raw joy.
It is important to note that, as her work spans numerous disciplines, her genre defies easy classification. Writing and performance poetry is a complex art and Kaur, in many ways, has a genre uniquely all her own. Her works focus on interlocking themes, making use of voice, metaphor, imagery and symbolism to express her ideas and sentiments, breaking down barriers and language barriers in the process.
The Visuals
Rupi Kaur’s work is also distinguished by her use of visuals. Her works often feature iconic and meaningful illustrations, whether they are her own depiction of her artwork or her use of symbols, symbols laden with her own pointed nuggets of wisdom. This visual arts aspect adds another layer to her writing, allowing readers to have a tangible physical representation to accompany the words they are reading.
Kaur uses her visuals to punctuate her text and to give her work an extra layer of vividness. Often, her visual art is used to drive home an idea or accentuate a poem in a new and enclosed sense of understanding. This helps to break down language barriers and evoke a deeper understanding of her works from her non-native English speaking readers.
The Music
Kaur also has developed a style of song-writing which encapsulates her thoughts and ideas in music. These songs often are carefully intertwined with her other works. They are powerful expressions of her underlying message, using passionate and profound lyrics to create a deeply emotive plea for understanding or justice.
Her music has also been considered as a form of her activism. In her songs she often references gender disparities, colonialism and the importance of self-love. Her lyrics are brutally honest, carefully crafted and demonstrate a real understanding and truth to the issues she is tackling. Her songwriting has been praised as inspirational, infectious and thought-provoking.
The Performance Art
To finish off, Kaur is also renowned for her performance art. Kaur often reads her works live and bridges the gap between her written words and her lived experiences. These performances are often described as mesmerizing as they are moments of immense introspection that allow the audience to truly witness the power of her work.
Kaur’s work is remarkably moving, often speaking directly to her audience’s experiences and connecting them to her own. During her performances, it can be felt that her words are not simply those of a single individual, but those of many. Her works often summon the power of community, generated by the act of shared experience.
The Social Activism
Kaur’s work often centers around issues of social justice and human rights, particularly focused on the experience of the oppressed. Through her work, she addresses issues of gender-based violence, race discrimination, and other forms of imperialism. Her work uses her own experiences to speak to the experiences of others and generate conversations about how to create a more equitable world.
Additionally, Kaur’s art dispels myths about women of colour and their capabilities. Her artwork subverts traditional stereotypes and expectations of women, creating a powerful and affirming message. By using her talents to explore these issues and inspire others, Kaur has become a leader in the social justice movement.
Influence on Society
Kaur’s work has inspired numerous people around the world. People everywhere have found solace in her words and connected with her work on a deeply personal level. Her influence has also been seen in other contemporary spoken word poets, who often cite Kaur’s works as inspiration for their own pieces.
Kaur’s works have also been recognized by prestigious awards and widely featured in the media, allowing her message to reach further and transcend beyond widely accepted boundaries. She has been a champion of feminist and postcolonialistic movements and her influence can be seen in the ever-expanding number of women and people of color participating in artistic works.
Dialogue and Community
Finally, Kaur has generated a powerful dialogue amongst her readers and created a community for engagement. Given the inherently political nature of her works, her readers often come together to discuss the deeper messages and themes of her works. These conversations often transcend language differences and span geographical boundaries, allowing her readers to connect with one another.
Kaur consistently responds to her readers and often takes their feedback and ideas into account when writing new works. She has become a leader in the spoken word community, setting a precedent of social justice activism and knowledge exchange. She emphasizes the power of collective wisdom, breaking down language barriers and allowing her works to spark a chain reaction of understanding.
