State Arts and Culture Minister Paul Lyngdoh said that arts can counter the surge of the digital world in the present generation.
“Today’s generation has less attention span due to the toxic nature of technology. We should wonder how we can reconnect with our roots and how the thoughts of poets, writers continue to thrive in this digital age,” Lyngdoh said.
Speaking at a function to observe the 84th death anniversary of revered Khasi poet and a celebrated literary icon, U Soso Tham today, the minister said that today’s kids are out of touch with what Soso Tham tried to portray in his writings even as he urged the department to ensure that the poet’s works continue to inspire generations to come.
Lyngdoh also said that through such efforts of the department the state will be introduced to the rest of the world as a place for poetry, literature, music, arts and not only of nature.
Meanwhile, Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar who spoke on the occasion as the chief guest urged those present to introduce a chapter on Soso Tham in the schools textbooks.
“More than a poet he was a great thinker. Therefore the coming generations should be involved with his thoughts and ideas,” Vijayashankar said.
The Governor also said that through his writings, Soso Tham has placed Khasi language in a place of pride.
On the occasion, school students who participated and won various literary activities to commemorate the death anniversary of Soso Tham, were awarded.
State Literary awards were also felicitated.
Legendary Khasi bard, U Soso Tham was born in 1873 in Sohra.
He was the first poet to initiate secular literature with diction, both singular and genuine and also the first person to make use of Khasi idioms in a form taken mainly from English poetry.
He is remembered for his beautiful poems. His Ka Duitara Kshiar (The Golden Harp, 1925) — a compilation of poems, is one of the most distinguished works. He is widely regarded as the greatest icon in the literary history of Meghalaya.
In West Jaintia Hills, the day was observed at Shangpung Mission by the Synjuk ki Dorbar Shnong Shangpung.
Jaintia Eastern College Assistant Professor Dr. Davidson Diengdoh highlighted U Soso Tham and his contribution to the community through his poems.
