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Writer's pictureKala Ramesh

triveni spotlight: 31st July 2023

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



twilight

is left

in the maple leaves


Chiyo-ni



the full moon I love a night that simple


Michael McClintock

from Another Trip Around the Sun (2019)


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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6 Comments


Baisali
Baisali
Jul 31, 2023

Dear @Nandita,


I just wanted to tell you that I loved your curation this month. The idea itself was amazing and the love, artistic sensibility and your vast knowledge of this genre was there in each post.


Thank you for each and every haiku chosen with such care and for introducing me to gems that I had not read before🌹


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Vidya Shankar
Vidya Shankar
Jul 31, 2023

What a finale, Nandita! Thank you for a month full of poetic treats <3

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Muskaan Ahuja
Muskaan Ahuja
Jul 31, 2023

Truly admired the poems you came up with this month, Nandita! And this one is an absolute slam dunk!


Thank you once again…

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Linda Papanicolaou
Jul 31, 2023

Agree—lovely pairing, Nandita!

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lakshmi iyer
lakshmi iyer
Jul 31, 2023

Lovely pairing and the images set a beautiful picture. Thank you Nandita!!

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