May Creator of the Month: Avneet
“I hated writing.” These were the first words Avneet said when asked about her writing journey—surprising words from someone who now writes poetry. Despite her rocky beginnings, writing and dance have become essential parts of her life. They shape not only how she expresses herself, but also how she makes sense of the world—bridging culture, emotion, and identity.
Avneet moved to Canada from India at the age of six. Her roots run deep in both cultures, and she continues to feel the lasting influence of her immigrant experience. Dance, introduced through family and cultural events, has gradually evolved into something personal and joyful for Avneet. She practices two forms of Punjabi folk dance: Bhangra and Giddha. Though Bhangra has traditionally been male-dominated, Avneet has performed with co-ed and now primarily all-female teams, reclaiming space within the art form. Giddha, typically performed by women, connects her most deeply to the storytelling traditions of her heritage. These dances follow themes such as marriage, homecoming, and separation.
Although she hasn’t lived the experiences portrayed in these dances, Avneet draws from emotional parallels. Whether imagining the joy of a wedding or the heartbreak of a farewell, she connects through feeling. When she returned to dancing after a long break, she joined an academy with a supportive, welcoming environment. The friendships she has built through dance have become just as meaningful as the art itself. When she steps into the dance studio, she and those around her leave their emotions at the door, focusing solely on the movement and sharing in the joy of the dance.
Poetry, however, serves a different role for Avneet. During high school, she was forced to write essays on prompts she felt no connection to, which leads to the dislike of writing she talked about. Her first official poem, she boldly wrote during a provincial English exam, despite the strong dissuasion from her teacher, she surprised herself with how natural it felt. That moment opened the door to a new outlet for emotion. Writing allows her to put thoughts into words she wouldn’t otherwise say aloud. They contain her rawest emotions, providing an outlet for stress and frustration when life feels overwhelming. Poetry has now become a sanctuary for her to process her emotions.
She later learned that her grandfather, who passed away years ago, had also written poetry in secret. His hidden journal, discovered only after his death, now feels like a passed-down legacy—a creative voice that Avneet unknowingly inherited.
Avneet encourages others to boldly explore their creativity and to give things a second chance. She never expected to fall in love with poetry, but returning to it changed everything. Through dance and writing, art has become her way of connecting with others and releasing emotions, celebrating feelings in all its forms.
“You won’t know unless you try.” – Avneet Aulakh
