About – Ritu Gupta Garg

About Me

A journey through words, cultures, and the spaces where poetry lives.

My Story

I am Ritu Gupta Garg, a poet, translator, and educator who finds beauty in the spaces between languages and cultures. My work is deeply influenced by my heritage, my experiences of migration, and the quiet rituals of everyday life.

Born in India and having lived across continents, I write at the intersection of multiple identities. My poetry explores themes of belonging, displacement, memory, and the tender moments that connect us all—a cup of tea shared with a loved one, the turning of a stone mill, the rustle of leaves in a forgotten garden.

As a translator, I believe in the power of language to build bridges. I’ve dedicated my work to bringing voices from South Asian literature to English readers, and vice versa, honoring the nuances that make each language unique.

Through teaching, I share my passion for poetry and translation with students of all ages. I believe that everyone has a story worth telling, and I’m honored to help others find their voice.

Philosophy

“I believe poetry is not just about words on a page—it’s about creating space for silence, for reflection, for connection. It’s about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, and celebrating the threads that bind us all together.”

What I Do

Poet

Crafting verses that explore the human condition, identity, and the spaces between cultures.

Translator

Bridging linguistic and cultural divides, bringing literary works to new audiences.

Educator

Teaching creative writing and literary translation, nurturing the next generation of voices.

Recognition & Achievements

Featured in multiple international literary journals and anthologies

Recipient of the Poetry Foundation Award for Emerging Voices (2024)

Published three collections of poetry, translated into six languages

Conducted poetry workshops across India, UK, and North America

Regular contributor to literary magazines and cultural platforms

Invited speaker at international poetry festivals and literary events

Literary Identity

My username, teapoet.ritu_woke.chakki, tells a story of its own. “Tea” represents the quiet rituals and contemplative moments that inspire my work. “Woke” reflects my engagement with social consciousness and contemporary issues. “Chakki”—the traditional stone mill—symbolizes the grinding, transformative process of creation, of taking raw experiences and turning them into something nourishing.

Together, these elements capture who I am: a poet who finds inspiration in the everyday, who believes in the power of awareness, and who honors tradition while embracing evolution.

My work has appeared in journals such as The Poetry Review, Pratilipi, Indian Literature, and Words Without Borders. I continue to explore new forms and voices, always seeking to deepen my craft and expand the conversation around what poetry can be.

Ritu Gupta Garg

Poet, Translator, Educator. Exploring the depths of human emotion through the power of words.