Rupi Kaur is a talented Canadian poet, illustrator, and author of two outstanding poetry books. Born in Punjab, India, in 1992, she moved to Canada at the age of four and grew up in Brampton, Ontario. Rupi’s work has been globally acclaimed and has earned her high praise and many awards, including the Audre Lorde Prize and the Goodreads Choice Award. She is a powerful voice within the literary circles of North America and beyond.
Rupi Kaur’s two renowned books, Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers serve as a testament to her immense power with words. Her empowering and beautiful writing touches on themes such as relationships, abuse, trauma, and healing. Moreover, they narrate the story of a woman’s journey through pain, and her quest for self-discovery, allowing the reader to empathise and learn more about themselves. Over 1.6 million copies of Milk and Honey alone have been sold, making it one of the most popular books by a female writer of our generation.
Rupi’s work has also gone beyond the confines of literature as she has become a social media celebrity, with over two million followers on Instagram. Here, Kaur shares her concise and thoughtful writing, often accompanied by her own vibrant drawings. Taking to Instagram and other social media platforms has enabled her to build an online and offline community, which is continuing to grow.
Kaur uses her celebrity to voice her opinions on topics such as racism and gender justice. Through her work and public appearances, she continues to inspire millions of people, young and old, to be brave, powerful, and independent. She encourages her readers and audience to write their own stories and to find joy in being their authentic selves, empowering them to become better versions of themselves.
Rupi Kaur’s unparalleled success has made her a name to remember, one that speaks boldness and love. Her art gives her readers a safe space to heal and to start looking at society and themselves in different lights. Kaur presents her vision to her audience in a way that guides them to the truths of life that can only be found by going on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.
The Legacy of Rupi Kaur
The literary genius of Rupi Kaur continues to reach millions of readers around the world, and her work will never cease to make a powerful impact on the modern literary scene. Despite her brief career thus far, Kaur has already been named an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honours, for the encouragement she has given to young people to share their true voices.
Kaur has also launched her own initiative to help aspiring writers, titled ‘Rupi Kaur Writer’s Workshop’. This initiative helps potential writers find the courage to speak up, express themselves, and share their stories. Kaur continues to inspire her audience to reach their dreams of being heard and is creating an army of outspoken individuals through her work.
Her drive for making a change and for speaking what many don’t has awarded her the highest amount of respect from fellow authors and has even earned her an honorary degree from the University of Manitoba. She is one of the most influential modern-day poets and a beacon of light in the literary world.
Rupi Kaur is a beloved artist and she uses the power that comes with her tools of literature to help others heal, feel understood, and find a voice in their stories. She is the definition of modern success, a female artist showing young people the value of being true to who you are and to speak up with courage and self-love.
Rupi Kaur’s Work & Contributions to the English Language
Rupi Kaur’s books, Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers, are masterpieces in modern poetry. Published in 2014 and 2017 respectively, both books contain powerful and emotive illustrations that help convey Kaur’s ideas and messages to her readers. Her obvious talent for rhyme and structure, often following traditional Punjabi poetic forms, increases the impact of her words.
Kaur has proven her ability to write compellingly about intimate topics, finding words and structures that allow readers to relate and find solace. Therefore, she has popularised the previously often-neglected form of writing, poetry, and immortalised her words in the English language.
Additionally, Kaur’s conceptual videos, arranged and directed by her, have been seen by thousands. Her film We Could Be Beautiful, which also obtained a Visual Storyteller of the Year nomination, introduces us to an artistic meditation, where love is the focal point of timelessness and memories. Her work has been featured in magazines such as ‘Vogue’ and ‘The New York Times’, as well as being showcased in many galleries around the world.
Kaur has been praised for her work, which is vibrant and authentic. During the last few years, she has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, chosen as the Canadian Ambassador for the UN Women Campaign ‘HeforShe’, and her first book Milk and Honey was shortlisted for the Goodreads Choice Awards in the ‘Poetry’ section.
Rupi Kaur’s Motivations
Throughout her career, Rupi Kaur has continued to motivate those around her with her work. By expressing her own unique voice, Kaur has helped others to do the same, learning to discover their own style and become more confident in themselves and their words. Like her poetry conveys, Kaur’s main purpose is to remind and encourage her readers to remember their own beauty, struggles, and all the lessons they have learned along their own journeys.
Kaur’s work is a labour of love, as she could have chosen any other field to earn money, yet, she made a bold move to pursue her own literary voice. Speaking up for those that are oppressed or voiceless, believing in her own power, and writing for what she loves, has been Kaur’s motivations throughout all these years.
Additionally, Kaur has pointed her focus to the art of storytelling, helping people to understand that their stories are not only incredibly important but also therapeutic, life-changing to the higher levels. Therefore, what Rupi Kaur does is to provide an honest, intimate window into the world of a modern woman and urge its reader to seek respect and compassion for themselves and seek healing from the inside out.
Lastly, Kaur continuously stresses the importance of thoroughly understanding who you are and what you can truly give to the world. Through her pieces, Kaur guides her readers to raise their voices, speak up, and stay authentic in their stories.
Rupi Kaur’s Impact on the Poetry Scene
Rupi Kaur has impacted people’s lives globally. Her words have provided a space of comfort, understanding, and love. Kaur’s works have also been used by teachers to help young people become aware of themes such as racism and feminism, drawing them closer to social justice issues at a young age.
Kaur’s revolutionary message and ongoing global popularity of her books have made her one of the biggest names in the world of literature and poetry. As a result, Kaur has helped redefine the way poetry is seen, shaping the modern poetry scene. Her work has become a regular part of the literature curriculum in high schools and universities, demonstrating her tremendous influence.
Looking at the powerful presence of Rupi Kaur’s work, it is clear that she is a true inspiration within the literary world. The impact of her words will long remain within her readers, guiding them along their own paths, and giving them strength to keep going as well as taking lessons from her own life.
Rupi Kaur’s Platform & Community
Serving as an inspiration for millions of readers and aspiring poets, Rupi Kaur has built a platform where truth, courage, and femininity are celebrated. Passionately focusing on the silent voices and highlighting the stories that are often not represented, Kaur has created a platform and a strong support system that helps make these voices heard.
Rupi Kaur’s Instagram account is also a place where she actively shares her work and helps make an impact on society. With over two million followers and counting, Kaur has also held writing classes, book clubs, and opened a forum on her page where they can learn and share their experiences. This way, Kaur has been able to create a healing dialogue and a space where stories can be shared without fear or judgement.
In addition to Kaur’s writing, her visual art has been influential, captivating her followers and immersing them into whimsical stories illustrated with bright colours and earthy shades. Thanks to the success of her art, Kaur has been able to host several galleries to showcase her works, including her most recent interactive exhibit ‘The Wisdom of the Universe’.
Rupi Kaur’s online community has helped many discover their inner strength, find the courage to face their fears, and above all, it gives individuals the courage to express themselves and share their stories without reservation. Kaur’s community is a place where pain can be turned into something beautiful and where everyone can learn to appreciate and love themselves.
