‘Declare location of poet’s home at Saitsohpen as heritage site’
By Daiaphira Kharsati
SHILLONG: With the State is all set to observe the 75th death anniversary of legendary Khasi bard U Soso Tham on Friday, relatives of the poet have pointed out that the State government needs to initiate archiving the works of Soso Tham and to transform the location of his erstwhile home at Saitsohpen into a heritage site.
The relatives also informed that the Study Tour Circle of the Khasi Author’s Society (KAS) would travel to certain parts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills to circulate Soso Tham’s philosophies to commemorate his death anniversary in a befitting manner.
Sara Tham, a fourth generation descendant of the noted Khasi litterateur, said, “Back in his heydays, he spent the winter part of his working life in Shillong. We would appreciate it if his native place at Saitsohpen is transformed into a heritage site by the government. Although the house no longer exists some people are able to identify the exact location.”
“Of course, to transform his birth place into a heritage site we will need the assistance of the Saitsohpen villagers as well,” she told The Shillong Times on the eve of the death anniversary of the bard.
They indicated that the bust erected on the State Central Library premises was at the behest of some noted personalities including P.G. Marbaniang, Rani Shullai and Sumar Sing Sawian, among others.
It may be reminded that the existing bust was constructed by the Soso Tham Birth Centenary Committee in 1973.
The relatives, however, do not deny the role played by the government in favour of the bard’s recognition. “We appreciate the government’s efforts in giving him due recognition including naming the auditorium at the State Central Library after him, renaming the road from Loreto Convent to Rhino Point as Soso Tham Road and also declaring his death anniversary a State holiday,” said Rebecca Tham, a descendant of the poet and assistant lecturer at the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU).
Jeane S. Dkhar, Assistant Professor, Hindi, Lady Keane College, also translated some of Tham’s poetry to Hindi while presenting a paper at Uttar Pradesh where his poems garnered much appreciation there.
While referring to the translation works, Rebecca said, “Scholars have to painstakingly commit themselves to this area as it demands care and devotion for his works encompasses some of the deepest philosophies on life, religion, indigenous ideas.”
The relatives also pointed out that Soso Tham was a man open to varied ideas although he was proud of his roots which are also evident in his poems.
“His works do not have any label for it transcends ideas and cultures, however, indigenous culture will be alive if we hold on to our roots,” they said.
Asked what might have been the bard’s reaction to the rising apathy in society today, Rebecca recollected a few lines from the bard’s vision of the tribal community and his pain, although the poem did not end on a pessimistic note.
“The need of the hour is to create awareness on going back to the roots among the succeeding generations, as the poet was able to create awareness in this regard in every succeeding generation,” she added.