Triveni (poetry)

Triveni is a form of Hindi/Urdu poetry initiated by the poet Gulzar. Unlike sher, a triveni consists of three "hemistichs" (misras). The first two are complete in themselves but the addition of the third misra gives a new dimension.

Rupa & Co. has published his poetry book Triveni. Sony Music has just released an album Koi Baat Chale which has a few of Gulzar's triveni sung by Jagjit Singh.

Example
A beautiful example of Gulzar's Triveni:


 * ज़ुल्फ़ में यूँ चमक रही है बूँद
 * जैसे बेरी में तनहा एक जुगनू
 * क्या बुरा है जो छत टपकती है


 * Transliteration


 * Zulf mein yun chamak rahi hai boond,
 * Jaise beree mein tanhaa ik jugnoo
 * kyaa buraa hai jo chhat tapaktee hai !!


 * Translation


 * The (water) glitters so in (your) hair
 * As a lone firefly in (a) bush
 * What's so bad if the roof drips

The addition of the third line implies that the water drop in the hair is due to a dripping roof and since it creates a visage of such beauty, the poet is unperturbed by it.