By Our Reporter
SOHRA: A life size statue of the legendary Khasi poet U Soso Tham would be erected at the Soso Tham Children’s Park in Siatsohphen (Sohra), the birth place of the poet, in his honour.
This was announced by local Sohra MLA Dr PW Khongjee during the 70th Death Anniversary of the poet here on Saturday.
The Government declares December 18 as a State holiday to pay respect to the great literary figure.
Khongjee said that the life size statute would be unveiled during the 71st death anniversary celebration next year.
He informed that he has already found a firm in Kolkata which would be assigned the task of making the life size statue.
The local MLA of Sohra however expressed his unhappiness that the people of Sohra have not been able to pay tribute to this legendary figure who was born in the area. “It is unfortunate that people in other parts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills have done more in remembrance of the noted Khasi poet while the people of Sohra have not been able to do so,” Khongjee said during a function organised by the Tham clan along with the Study Tour Circle (STC) to observe the poet’s 70th death anniversary.
Khongjee suggested that the people of Sohra should do more to pay homage to this great literary figure.
Recalling the life of this great legend who has contributed immensely towards the enrichment of Khasi literature, noted Khasi writer Kitbor W Nongrum said that Soso Tham passed away at the age of 67.
Even though he was not able to complete his matriculation. Soso Tham loved to read a wide range of books, especially the Bible.
“I believe it is because of his interest in reading that he developed the flare for writing,” Nongrum who is also a member of STC said during the function to observe the death of anniversary of the great Khasi poet.
While informing that Soso Tham’s initial work was published in newspapers like Lurshai and Na U Khasi in the 1920’s, the noted Khasi writer said that it was after his articles were published in the newspaper that he was encouraged to publish his works in the form of a book.
Nongrum said that the first book by the legendary Khasi poet was Ka Phawar Aesop which was published in 1920.
After his first publication followed Soso Tham’s great works which included Ka Poetry Khasi (1925), Ka Duitara Ksiar (1936), Ki Sngi Barim U Hynniewtrep and the Khasi translation of Charles Dickens’ Life of Our Lord, Ka Jingim U Trai Jong Ngi, he added.