Soso Tham’s 75th death anniversary to be observed in State today
SHILLONG: A book of poems titled The Golden Duitara – a translation of the works of noted poet and litterateur U Soso Tham by Madeline Tham, Assistant Professor of English, Lady Keane College, was released by Chief Secretary WMS Pariat on Tuesday on the College premises.
“This English translation of Soso Tham’s book comes a day before his 75th death anniversary and is therefore a fitting tribute to his memory. This great poet’s verses have been used by Khasi society to contextualise the societal angst. Even NGOs point to the verses of Soso Tham to bolster their own causes. His genius lies in the telling use of Khasi idioms even while he himself depended on English compositions,” Pariat said while releasing the book.
He said that Soso Tham excelled in the use of non-Khasi language in characterising his poems.
Pariat said Soso Tham conjured the ambiance of a beautiful Khasi countryside and “while he drew upon the genius of English poets like Wordsworth it is noteworthy that we are now relooking at Soso Tham’s own poems in the English language.”
Earlier, HoD, English, Lady Keane Collage, Dr Clarissa Sawian paid glowing tributes to Madeline Tham for her effort to interpret and transcribe Soso Tham’s poems and yet maintain the original thoughts. “For her bold and enterprising venture into literature, culture, nature and language and adding to the Master Chef Kitchen of Khasi literature, I salute Madeline,” Dr Sawian said in her eloquent speech which held the audience spellbound.
Talking about her book, The Golden Duitara, Madeline said she was first inspired by fellow English literature colleague Janet Moore Hujon who asked her to translate a Japanese poem.
“Call it the domino effect or the tipping point but I just felt I needed to take Soso Tham beyond the boundaries of the Khasi language to the non-Khasi speaking world,” Madeline said, adding that she commissioned noted painter Careen Langstieh to paint pictures of the objects used in the poem as the outside world might not be able to identify those accurately. The book of poems is, therefore, interspersed with graphic paintings of Careen Langstieh.
Noted journalist and former editor, The Telegraph, MJ Akbar has extolled Madeline’s maiden effort in a blurb on the book.
Lady Keane College has for the first time instituted one award each for the best student in all round achievement in Arts and Science. Damaphi Jyrwa bagged the award for Science while Daiophika Wahlang Pahsyntiew was awarded for Arts. They both got a citation and a cash award of Rs 10000 each. Lapynshisha Marbaniang who was ranked 6th in the BA Final (Philosophy) Examination was presented the Usha Bhattacharya Memorial Award.
Principal, Lady Keane College, Dr C Massar also gave away certificates to students who joined the NSS. Stating that the Keanean Award is meant for the best all rounder among students of Science and Arts, Dr Massar said this is a unique award as it encompasses the different traits of a student making it an award for ‘excellence with integrity’. The awards have been instituted for the first time this year.