Phulkari

by Harman Kaur

Phulkari is a collection of poetry and prose that explores themes such as grief, identity, love, spirituality and healing. The themes specifically relate to the complexities that come with being a woman, a Panjabi, and a Sikh.

Genres: Poetry, India

164 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2018

Reviews

[Navneet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single page of this book had me going like Damn. I’ve never related so much to a poetry book before, it had everything I needed to hear, it’s like a warm hug. As a Punjabi Sikh it gave me so many reminders to keep having faith and strength.

Absolutely loved this so much and I know I’ll be rereading it often because of how much comfort it brought.

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always say I’m not a fan of insta poets but less than a handful of times I am surprised to find that I really enjoyed a collection of work. This is probably the second time that has happened. Beautiful book. A spiritual journey, a journey of healing, a journey to self love. There were so many poems in here that I bookmarked to go back to.

[Bhavsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. There were countless times where I read a page, closed my eyes and let myself be awestruck. Thank you for your words!

[Arya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone I really love lent me this collection, so I didn’t know anything about it going in. I can safely say that I love how personal this is to me and my culture. Not very common in texts published in English, I appreciate that. Unfortunately, it just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to :(

It was a little too insta poetry for me - a lot of space was wasted on bite size poems that could be better described as tweets or insta captions. I read it in the span of a 30 min tube ride…and I was actively trying to read it slowly lol

Will say though - really enjoyed a lot of the ideas. The language sections got to me especially. There was just…no poetic technique going on anywhere really. Maybe the ideas would have been better served in prose?

Punjabi poetry is incredibly beautiful and important, spanning across our early history and through colonialism, and now to diasporic communities. There was a lot to work with here, but I feel like everything ended up being a little surface-level and repetitive.

Basically: appreciate the sentiments, didn’t like the execution. I get why it would appeal to people.

[Arash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t think I’m the target audience for this book as the instagram-esq poems just fell flat. Book had good intentions and I’m sure it’d make some people feel seen, but it just wasn’t there for me. Very much a miss which is disappointing.

[Mahrukh | diaspora.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phulkari is a collection of poetry and prose that explores themes such as grief, identity, love, spirituality and healing. The themes specifically relate to the complexities that come with being a woman, a Punjabi, and a Sikh.

It’s difficult trying to review this because every poem is extremely personal, tender and exquisite in its own way. That's why I shared my favourite poems with you.

This book takes you on a journey that everyone can relate to - if you are Sikh, you are going to find so much representation in Phulkari!

[panjabicommie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this work brings me so much comfort and belonging<3 it’s clear harman put her heart and soul into this book. the way phulkari portrays sikhi & panjabi culture is so mesmerizing and really touches your heart. i shed tears at nearly every page. it’s so rare for a work to affect me to this capacity.

[Sharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me so much in ways I cant explain. Its themes are: Truth, Healing, Sikhism, and Love. Its beautiful. "The joy always comes in colors. Some days I am a blank canvas or a faded photograph. But today my love I am a Phulkari" <333 TRULY MOVING

[Simran Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

The deep pit of despair inside me has been temporarily filled with Harman’s words. This book has sat on my shelf for a couple of years now, my only hesitation on reading it was the power it had before I even opened it. I knew upon reading I would be broken again, not that I have been fixed per se but I was pretending well. Anyways as I pick myself up from the floor I finally got a chance to get into Harman’s mind, I have seen her on TikTok and her face is so beautiful but her face clearly is holding the heavy weight of every one of her ancestors. I often asked myself how can someone so beautiful look so, so deeply sad. I now have read what makes her. She has poetic strength. I also didn’t want to be one of those OMG THIS WAS SO POWERFUL type of reviews because this was an all consuming experience and I have only shed tears since finishing. What will she write next? I wish you the best Harman, I see how sad you are, it doesn’t take away any of the joy you may receive, you are burdened with truth and it is authentic.

[Aradhna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe. I'll come back to this review, but I'm going to admit the reason it took me so long to complete this was because I didn't want it to end. I know I'm going to be revisiting so many of these poems over the years.

*EDITED*

My last book of 2018 was a poetry one. Not because it took me so long to get to, because it wasn’t good. I actually flew through the first few parts, and then I realised I had only a few pages left, so I kept the book aside to savour it.

I’ve never connected to poems other than my own so much until Harman Kaur’s writing. Maybe it’s our shared faith, and the similarity in our viewpoints of the world that I could find in the spaces between her words. Maybe it’s the mix of unapologetic and apology in the emotions that flew off her pages when she spoke of strength and faith and Guru.

Maybe it was just the right poems, at the right time of my life.

All I can say is that I loved and I love, and I’m going to be turning to this book on the days I need to feel like someone understands me.

[AreKayBee]

One word: Inspirational.

This book made me weep, laugh and think. The ache of familiarity this book sent through me with every poem I read.. I had to put the book down and have discussions with my self. The emotions it unlocked within me were truly, inspiring.

It gave me the motivation to call upon my experiences and write a poetry book myself.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly moving, the poems and prose spoke to me in such a unique way. I felt for Harman, I felt for my Panjabi sisters and mothers and family and ancestors. Truly grateful this was recommended to me!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

vraiment banger, tellement relatable que ce soit par rapport à mon origine ou religion. j’étais un peu🧍🏻des fois pcq y’a des poèmes qui sont vrmt dédiés à la religion sauf que j’y suis pas autant attachée mais ça m’en a rapproché, c’était mimi.

[Sonia Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book over and over again and I have only recently bought it. The amount of poetry and emotion this book composed definitely caught me by surprise. I enjoyed every part of this book, even though it took me on a roller-coaster of emotions.

[Jasmine Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my cousin introduced this book to me, I felt like I had entered a new world while reading the very first pages out loud. Harman's poetry truly sparked a positive light in my eyes, making me re-read her book many times. I love this book!!

[Rasan Chadha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, simple and deep book. It was an easy and quick read with some amazing Phulkari and life references. “Apne Part 1” was my absolute favourite!

[Jasjeet Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am literally sobbing, section after section, poem after poem, something has managed to capture me mind body and soul omg.

[Ishika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly a beautiful and peaceful read. I think people not of the Sikh faith can find meaningful poetry in Harman’s words. Definitely a book I’ll revisit often.

[Ravinder Chana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book resonated with my identity and made me feel understood, appreciated and proud of who I am. Beautiful read!

[Parm · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely loved it.

[Batmanstan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve ever read. Amazing from start to finish. No page was boring, no page was bad. Every page has its own story and was so relatable or touching.

[Andrea Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it - some of the pages had my jaw on the floor.

[Ajeet Grewal · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a Sikh Punjabi girl read this. You won’t regret it.

[Amitoj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing and inspirational read. Harman writes beautifully. I enjoyed it very much and hope she releases more work in the future.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Gurleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in like 30 minutes???

[Amrit Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express how absolutely beautiful this collection of poetry is; exploring the themes of love, faith, hope and bravery. Harman Kaur is an EXTREMELY talented writer and I will never stop recommending this collection.

Hand's down my favourite poetry collection.

If you're a Sikh, DEFINATELY pick up this collection, you won't regret it.

[Zara El-Ahmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it 3 stars mainly because of it’s Sikh/Punjabi poetry nature. Although I couldn't fully connect, there were specific parts that deeply resonated with me and captured my admiration. Harman Kaur's talent as a writer is evident.

[Assad Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of poetry, really interesting topics covered from the perspective of a Punjabi, Sikh, Women that’s relatable in many different ways.