Culture

Rupi Kaur brings transformative show to the orpheum

By Tayvie Van Eeuwen
@tayvieeee

Rupi Kaur heard our calls! Capping off her two-month American tour, fans craved for Rupi Kaur to once again grace the stages of Canada. Well, she listened.

On Wednesday night (Dec. 12), the beloved poet flooded the Orpheum with a newfound sense of resilience.

Despite this being the second appearance by Kaur since her latest book, The Sun and her Flowers, was released, fans welcomed Kaur with an electric excitement.

A blinding green dress approached a circle of flowers centre stage, and Kaur began to perform “On the Last Day of Love.” The poet’s knack for speaking to the hearts of her readers rang out, with claps and shouts creating a symphonic entrance.

“It’s about the exchange of energy that we are going to give back and forth,” Kaur proposed, setting the stage for the remainder of the evening.

Evolving into new themes, Kaur switched flawlessly between candid stories and eloquent poems. She told stories of her own faults, to equally heartbreaking and sincere narratives of being an immigrant.

“Being an immigrant means you are the bridge between the last generation and the next,” expressed Kaur.

Known for her writings on romantic love, Kaur’s greatest moments recounted the influence of other life stories.  Kaur did not exclusively speak on the disappearance of lovers, but the loss of ourselves in the midst of self-doubt and hatred.

Her performance served as a reminder of the multi-faceted languages of love: romantic, platonic, family, and self.

She spoke of the transformation of herself—which was easily noticed by any spectators who had attended her performance last November. Her previously beautifully crafted show flourished into a genuine and soulful conversation. Kaur’s ability to speak life into others from felt nothing short of personal.

“Progress is the ability of women in the future to outdo us in all ways,” said Kaur.

If you hadn’t noticed, Kaur represents a true feminist revolution. While her poems encompass feminism in every way, her charisma is the cherry on top.

Not surprisingly, I left her performance feeling a bit lighter and a hell of a lot more empowered. 

As Kaur said, “When one of us rises, we all rise.”

Kaur’s poetry collections, Milk and Honey, and the Sun and Her Flowers, can be purchased in store and online at various retailers.

A self-declared witch, Tayvie spends her time with all things magic. She loves a good sunset, iced coffee, and every known essential oil. Catch her chilling with her black-cat sidekick, Shadow, and hiding by the ocean. Look for her bold eyebrows and vintage style, and you’re bound to find her.