Rooh

by Rupinder Kaur

For Rupinder Kaur, writing, along with any other art form, should be azaad – free: free to express what the artist wants or needs to say, without any censorship. Rupinder is known for speaking her mind and this is reflected in her poems. In Rooh, her debut poetry collection, she takes us on a poetic journey that transcends borders and arbitrary boundaries of subject and style. Her work straddles English and Punjabi culture – fusing words from Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu and English. Her poems look at love, religion, identity, politics, history, taboos, society – often questioning orthodox views, particularly around the roles that different genders are expected to adopt. Rooh has a grand scope, and stares unblinkingly at the world. It is a stunning first collection from this young, intelligent poet.

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

First published September 27, 2018

Reviews

[Jas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: sexual assault, violence, and graphic imagery. The book does not come with these trigger warnings but I really think it should. Overall this was a good collection though at times the themes and words can feel repetitive. The sense of longing for a different time or different home was really powerful. If you have read the novel in verse Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo, I imagine that this collection of poems would be something the main character of that book would have written.

[Manpreet Kaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with lots other poems I’ve recently read, this would be much more powerful at an open-mic event than in written form. It’s clearly written for spoken word performance in most if not all cases.

BUT it’s a lovely collection of a woman exploring and indulging in her roots, her heritage and celebrating diversity. Some poems definitely could do with a trigger warning as in some cases, it’s a very visceral description of what is essentially a discussion on violence against women.

It addresses a lot of the topics particularly worth discussing in the south Asian community, and I highly respect how well-read the poet herself is. She’s clearly got a great deal of knowledge of many of the artists and poets of Punjab and the wider region.

I just felt it lacks layers, again makes sense what with it being spoken word prose. I read it all in one sitting and there isn’t that if I read a poem a second time, I’ll get something new out of it. It flows and it’s descriptive not cryptic. Again, a lot of poetry these days becoming like this (but not all!). I can’t think of any particular lines that screamed wisdom or gave me that good old dose of muse-filled melancholy.

[Peri Ghumman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of culture and nostalgia. Beautiful poems, look forward to more work by the author.

[Bahaar Chawla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like Rupinder pulled out the most visceral and poignant parts of my identity and put them on paper. I felt visible and understood in a way I've never really known or experienced before.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautifully written and recommended. It was both relatable and enlightening. Powerful poems on inequality and the questioning of identity. We need more of these books in the world to educate, break down the cultural boundaries and ignorance and to encourage greater embracement of multiculturalism.

[Kara (bookishskippy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the style of writing and some of the poems really related to me !