BHAM_ (Page 52) ygb:Layout 1
25/8/20
23:43
Page 52
YOUNG, GIFTED & BRUMMIE
RUPINDER KAUR
WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE BIRMINGHAM-BORN POET, PERFORMER AND CURATOR WHO EXPLORES AND CHAMPIONS SOUTH ASIAN CULTURE IN BRUM AND BEYOND upinder Kaur’s celebrated debut poetry collection Rooh, which means soul in Panjabi, was released when she was only 22 years old. Published by Verve Poetry Press, it’s a collection that pulls down borders combining English and Panjabi cultures using words from Panjabi, Hindi, Urdu and English. Rupinder began her route into poetry through spoken word in Brum and
R
52 birmingham living
doesn’t shy away from often-avoided dinner party chat tackling religion, politics, gender inequality and regularly questioning orthodox views head-on. Mentored by poet Rachel Long and awarded a grant by the Arts Council, Rupinder is now working on her second collection which promises to be just as striking as Rooh. Although Rupinder says some of her old work makes
september 2020
