SHILLONG: The Khasi Authors’ Society recently organised a one-day symposium at Mawmluh, Sohra to commemorate the 175th anniversary of written literature in Khasi language after the adoption of the Roman script.
The symposium on the topic ‘Ka Thoh Ka Pule Ka Sdang na U ABK’ or ‘Literary writing starts from ABK’ was held as part of the endeavour to strengthen the demand for recognition of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The symposium was graced by local MLA Titosstarwell Chyne and a host of Khasi literary luminaries, including former MP Bajubon Roy Kharlukhi and Sonder Singh Majaw who were the main speakers.
Chyne lamented on the insufficient readership of vernacular language even as quality works are being done by young Khasi writers. He lambasted the Education Department for not doing enough to preserve the language and was apprehensive about the National Education Policy suppressing mother tongues. The legislator pointed out that if the government abolishes the status of Major Indian Language from school education, then the progress of Khasi language will be curtailed. Kharlukhi in his deliberation stated that the major drawback is the lack of a script even as the introduction of the Roman script by Thomas Jones in 1841 helped in the growth of Khasi literature over the years.
Majaw spoke on the history of Khasi literature and the role played by significant personalities such as William Pryse, Alexander B Lish and Thomas Jones. Apart from academic education, Majaw also acknowledged the contribution of media in Khasi society by recalling William Williams who established a printing press at Laitkynsew and Shella in 1889 which produced a few of the first Khasi newspapers.
The symposium culminated with the question answer session where certain concerns were addressed to and clarified by the Khasi Authors’ Society.
There was also a question raised on the irony in the nomenclature of the name ‘Khasi Authors’ Society’, being referred in English language instead of indigenous nomenclature in entirety.
