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triveni spotlight: 11th July 2023

Writer's picture: Kala RameshKala Ramesh

triveni spotlight A FEATURE EVERY ALTERNATE DAY! hosts: Teji Sethi and Kala Ramesh GUEST EDITOR: Nandita Jain Mahajan, July 2023


no place

to put it down

I walk with a balloon


Sonoko Nakamura (1913-2001)

Today’s Haiku (Feb 10, 2023)



mud-caked boots

the heaviness

of regret



Thank you for giving me an opportunity to present my selection. Though the task of selecting haiku for Triveni Spotlight was very difficult, I found it very rewarding. I spent several hours going through poems available in the public domain and those from books in my personal collection. I read and re-read, shortlisted again and again paring down the list till I could do no more. It was a sheer joy to read such fantastic works - my heart is full ... so happy.

I tried to keep the poems different from what other guest editors had selected earlier. However, there is bound to be some repetition. I found myself leaning towards old Japanese masters like Basho, Issa, Shiki, and Ryokan but equally drawn to women poets like Chiyo-ni and Rengetsu. The simplicity, charm, and timeless quality is what pull me to their haiku. What a picture they paint! And, the space between what is said and what is unsaid. So many different interpretations which helped me connect to these poems.

Amongst the contemporary poets, I found myself opting for those that tugged at my heart. The poems span longing, sadness, hopelessness, hope, love, and gentleness. These are those that I could read over and over again, especially at dusk, when my mind is quiet and at peace. And then, something interesting happened. I realised that I could pair the masters with the contemporary - similar thoughts and subjects but different treatment. I hope you enjoy this selection. Nandita Jain Mahajan


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What a unique and refreshing way of handling this month's triveni spotlight selections! Watch out for this space, every alternate day, dear readers, you are in for a real treat! Thank you, Nandita. We are waiting to see the month unfold. _()_

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13 Comments


Firdaus Parvez
Firdaus Parvez
Jul 13, 2023

Fantastic pairing, Nandita. What a brilliant idea. I can see you’ve put in so much effort and time to get this perfect. Thank you

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neena singh
neena singh
Jul 13, 2023

Interesting pairing dear Nandita. The unbearable lightness of being paired with the heaviness of regret…like the light and shade in life, which go hand-in-hand. Thanks for sharing the beauty! 💐💕

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Amoolya Kamalnath
Jul 12, 2023

Excellent pairing, Nandita! Getting so much out of the contrast here.

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Replying to

So glad you liked it. Haiku has provided me with so many life lessons.

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Gauri
Gauri
Jul 11, 2023

What a pairing, both talking about how we carry our burdens And yet are different.


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Vidya Shankar
Vidya Shankar
Jul 11, 2023

What interesting pairing! And how beautifully both poems speak of heaviness.

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