triveni spotlight: 17th January 2026

triveni spotlight A FEATURE EVERY ALTERNATE DAY hosts: Anju Kishore and Mohua Maulik GUEST EDITOR: Mohua Maulik

17th January 2026

triveni spotlight January 2026

em dash —

going to great lengths

to make a point

—Bonnie J Scherer

haikuKATHA issue, September 2023

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The Lightness of Being

Humor in haikai is what first drew me to this extraordinary genre of poetry. Humor that is subtle or overt, one that makes me giggle or one that stings and yet brings a smile. 

Quoting from the essay, Humor in Haiku by Susumu Takiguchi, “...the true spirit of haiku as the word “haiku” is composed of two parts, “hai” and “ku”, and it is the meaning of the former which is often forgotten or never learnt in the first place, creating one of the most serious flaws in Western writing of haiku. The “hai” is part of another word “hai-kai” of Chinese origin, whose Japanese equivalent is “kokkei”. Now, the word “kokkei” can be variously translated into English: comicality, drollery, waggery, jocularity, joke, jest, pleasantry, humour, witticism, pun, farce, funny things etc.”

As we begin a new year, I invite you to join me in exploring haiku that bring a lightness to our step, a smile in our hearts, and perhaps tickles us enough to make us snort or even guffaw.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and happy 2026.

Mohua Maulik

We wish our poet-friends here a creatively fulfilling 2026. May the year bring you all joy and to the world, lasting peace. Thank you for your curation, Mohua. We are sure the poems will add to the celebrations.

Team Triveni Spotlight 

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