Meghalaya paid rich tributes to revered Khasi poet and a celebrated literary icon, U Soso Tham, on his 83rd death anniversary at different locations in the state.
In East Jaiñtia Hills, the Khasi Authors Society (KAS) paid tribute to the Khasi bard in Jaiñtia Eastern College, Khliehriat by organising a programme to highlight his contribution to the state and its citizens.
Rajya Sabah MP Wanwei Roy Kharlukhi and Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla attended the programme as guests.
During his speech, Kharlukhi stated the issue of Khasi and Garo language was raised by him including the Lok Sabha MPs, Vincent H Pala and Agatha Sangma in the Parliament. He lamented that the poet never got the acknowledgement he deserved in the past and urged the KAS to work towards the upliftment of talented writers.
Shylla offered his support to the KAS in its demand for recognition of the Khasi and Garo languages. He recalled the poems of U Soso Tham and lauded the society for promotion of the language.
KAS president, DRL Nonglait informed that the society will undertake the task of translating 200 Supreme Court judgements into Khasi language and compilation of a Khasi dictionary.
A book titled, “Shi Hara ki sur Myllung bad ki Esse” a compilation of poems and articles written by the students of Jaiñtia Eastern College and edited by Dr. Davidson Diengdoh was also released during the programme.
In Shillong, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) also paid tribute to the poet at his bust in the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) and the State Central Library premises respectively.
Meanwhile, the ‘Thoh Shun Art Camp 2023” organized by Riti Academy of Visual Arts and Shantiniketan Kala Bhavan Praktoni in collaboration with Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICCSSR)- North East Regional Centre (NERC) and INTACH Meghalaya Chapter was inaugurated today as part of the poet’s death anniversary by by Commissioner and Secretary Arts and Culture FR Kharkongor.
The camp which will conclude on December 27 is being held at ICCSSR-NERC conference hall, NEHU campus.
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.
