The 114th death anniversary of Khasi writer Rabon Sing Kharsuka was observed by the Rabon Sing Kharsuka Memorial Committee today in collaboration with the Linguistics Department, NEHU and Ka Lyngwiar Dpei Society.
Kharsuka popularly referred to as ‘Babu Rabon’, was born in 1840 and died in 1910. He is known as the Father of Khasi Philosophy and is considered a notable Khasi author and intellectual.
He wrote treatise on Khasi religion such as, Ka Niam Khasi 1894, Ka Kitab Niam khein ki Khasi, Ka Kitab Jingphawar, Ka Jingiathuh khana Puriskam (Folk tale) 1908. He was also a regular contributor to Khasi newspapers like U Nongapphira (1905 onwards).
Rajya Sabha MP Dr Wanweiroy Kharlukhi in his address stated that many tribes of the Northeast after conversion into Christianity do not know about their traditional religion. But Babu Rabon through his writings like ‘Niam Kheiñ ki Khasi’, have passed down knowledge to the people of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills to know about their original faith.
Kharlukhi said that the Khasis since the olden days were enlightened and progressive people. According to the Rajya Sabha MP, Khasis in the olden days spoke about preservation of the environment and empowerment of women, which the whole world is talking about now.
“The concept of democracy is not only a Greek concept but we have our own notion of democracy,” he said.
Principal Secretary Frederick Roy Kharkongor called on those present at the function on the need to have a digital depository of the book in Khasi languages written on various aspects.
“These should be available on the web. We all know students in today’s age and technology need digital depositories. There should be short video clips and e-readers too. Maybe people from across the sea who have a link with the Khasis may be interested,” Kharkongor said.
He also proposed the creation of digital animated comics about the life and contribution and folk tales of Babu Rabon so that kids are interested to learn about him.
According to Kharkongor, 2024 is the “Year of Wales in India” and in the upcoming Tri Hills Festival, a representative of the Welsh Government will visit the state along with musicians from that country and strengthen ties.
“It is time to digitise their works. Create animated comics so that they become accessible and children will learn about the culture and tradition and contributions of writers like Babu Rabon Sing Kharsuka,” Kharkongor said.
He also said that many do not know about the Khasi Renaissance, except for those who are in the Khasi and Linguistics department of NEHU
“Maybe it is time to do research about the Khasi Renaissance movement and find out what is the contribution of writers like Babu Rabon Sing Kharsuka,” he said.
Kharkongor also urged the research scholars to take advantage of the Chief Minister Research Grant and its focus is on Land, Language and Lineage and the grant is of Rs. 3 lakhs.
He also informed the gathering that the process of constructing a statue of Babu Rabon is on.
Meanwhile, former principal of St. Edmund’s College Sylvanus Lamare said that the books of Babu Rabon have been included in the Khasi syllabus since 1931 since the days of Calcutta University.
Lamare said Jeebon Roy Mairom, Radhon Sing Berry Kharwanlang and Babu Rabon Sing were contemporaries. He said that these three writers stood against the British who tried to do away with the thoughts and philosophy of the Khasis.
“I dare to say that if it hadn’t been for these three who wrote books during those times we today would have been nowhere,” Lamare added.
He also suggested that if the state can honour the freedom fighters, it should also pay tribute to such writers who used the language to preserve the cultural heritage of the Khasis.
“I don’t say the government should declare holidays in their honour, but they should at least mark the important dates in the calendar,” Lamare said.
