Rupi Kaur is a globally renowned poet, illustrator, photographer and author from India who rose to fame on Instagram, with her three collections of poetry.
| Full Name | Rupi Kaur |
|---|---|
| Age | 31 |
| Birthday | October 4, 1992 |
| Relationship | Single |
| Height | 5‘ 2" |
| Net Worth | $1.2M |
About
Rupi Kaur is an Indian-Canadian poet and author best known for her worldwide bestseller collection of poetry, Milk and Honey, which explores love, loss, trauma, healing, and feminism. She has since gained global recognition for her work and has spoken at universities and conferences around the world.
Her Unique Style
Much of Kaur‘s fame can be attributed to her unique minimalist writing style. She eschews traditional poetry forms, instead opting for straightforward, conversational language. Her poems are often short and sparse, yet tackle major emotional themes like love, heartbreak, trauma, feminism, and the immigrant experience.
Though sometimes criticized for being too simple, Kaur‘s intimate and relatable tone resonates powerfully with readers across the world.
Key Themes in Her Writing
Kaur bravely tackles universal themes in her poetry and prose. Her work explores:
- The joys and pains of love
- Overcoming trauma and abuse
- Finding inner strength and healing
- Navigating identity as a woman of color
- The immigrant experience
- Sexuality, femininity, and women‘s issues
- Self-love and self-worth
Through these resonant topics, Kaur gives voice to previously underrepresented perspectives and experiences.
Rise to Fame and Bestselling Books
In 2014, Kaur decided to self-publish a collection of her poems along with her original illustrations. That book, titled Milk and Honey, became an unexpected international bestseller. It has since sold over 8 million copies worldwide and been translated into over 25 languages.
Here is a stanza from her famous poem "if you need me i‘m here" in Milk and Honey:
i too
am my mother‘s daughter
be patient
i learned to love
from her
Kaur followed up this success with her second book of poetry, The Sun and Her Flowers, published in 2017. Like her first collection, it topped bestseller charts globally.
The Sun and Her Flowers expands on themes of healing and self-growth. One of her most celebrated poems from this collection, "legacy," begins:
i stand
on the sacrifices
of a million women before me
thinking
what can i do
to make this mountain taller
Through these two books, Kaur established herself as one of the foremost contemporary poets capturing the hearts and minds of young readers.
Impact Through Social Media
Alongside her collections, Instagram provided the perfect platform for Kaur to reach a wide audience. She masterfully leveraged Instagram and Tumblr to share bite-sized poems paired with her distinctive illustrations.
Kaur was a pioneer of "Instapoetry," a dominant trend that emerged around 2014-2015. Her easily digestible poems were tailor-made for quick online sharing and consumption. Kaur showed how social media can propel poetry to unprecedented popularity.
Accolades and Influence
Kaur‘s meteoric success has led to numerous accolades while still in her 20s:
- Featured on BBC‘s 2016 list of 100 most influential women
- 2017 Goodreads Choice Award for The Sun and Her Flowers
- 2019 honorary doctorate from the University of Waterloo
- Invited speaker at TED and Forbes platforms
Through this recognition, Kaur has cemented her status as the voice of her generation and a leading figure in contemporary literature.
What‘s Next for Rupi Kaur?
Now in her 30s, Rupi Kaur continues producing new work while expanding her brand. She often releases new illustrations and poems on social media.
In 2022, Kaur published her third collection Home Body. Another #1 New York Times bestseller, it proved her enduring status as a literary powerhouse. Fans eagerly await what she‘ll create next – more books, a podcast, public speaking engagements, or digital content.
No matter what she does next, Rupi Kaur has already made history as an iconic voice for millions of readers.
5 Lesser Known Facts About Rupi Kaur
- Kaur almost became a counselor before pursuing writing full-time. She earned her bachelor‘s degree in rhetoric and professional writing.
- She taught herself Photoshop and photography to create the visuals for her first book.
- Early in her career, publishers rejected Kaur‘s work for being too simple and lacking ambition.
- Her fans, nicknamed "Kaurinals," helped propel her books to bestseller status through word of mouth.
- Kaur suffered from depression and struggled to complete her education due to trauma from a past sexual assault.
Why Rupi Kaur Matters
Rupi Kaur represents a turning point in contemporary literature. Her candid poems have connected deeply with millions, especially younger readers and women of color. By mastering social media, she modernized and revived poetry. Kaur proved this ancient art form can remain relevant today.
For giving voice to marginalized people, disrupting the literary status quo, and empowering others to share their stories, Rupi Kaur has made an indelible impact on poetry, publishing, and pop culture worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Rupi Kaur first publish Milk and Honey?
Kaur self-published her debut poetry collection Milk and Honey in November 2014. It quickly became an international bestseller.
How has Rupi Kaur influenced poetry and publishing?
Kaur helped popularize Instagram poetry and showed how social media can expand poetry‘s reach. Her self-published success also challenged traditional publishing.
What topics does Rupi Kaur write about?
Kaur‘s poems explore feminism, trauma, healing, relationships, identity, sexuality, self-love, and more. Her writing gives voice to marginalized experiences.
Where is Rupi Kaur from originally?
She was born in Punjab, India in 1992. At age four she immigrated with her family to Canada, where she was raised and still resides.
What makes Rupi Kaur‘s writing style unique?
Her minimalist, straightforward poems in everyday language resonate deeply through their intimacy and relatability. She eschews traditional poetry forms.