SHILLONG: Khasi poet Soso Tham once wrote, Nga iohi ia ka ri ha ka tmier jong ka riat (I see the Khasi land on the edge of a precipice).
On the bard’s 77th death anniversary on Monday, Sylvanus Lamare, state representation to the Sahitya Akademi, referred to the great poet’s words to present a picture of the modern time and the vanishing traditional values.
Speaking on Soso Tham’s life and works which symbolised his prophetic ability, Lamare expressed concern that the number of students opting for Khasi MIL has reduced drastically in classes X, XI, XII and degree level.
“Our territory is becoming smaller and our boundaries unresolved. Our customs and traditions are being challenged and there is no real protection,” he added.
Addressing a gathering at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Lamare rued that the house of Soso Tham is no longer found in his birthplace of Saitsohpen, Sohra.
In this connection, he suggested that a signboard should be put up on the road side for people to know.
Lamare informed that though Soso Tham was not even a matriculate, he was regarded as a good English teacher because of his association with English missionaries and also he was a student of Rev John Roberts, the father of Khasi Literature.
“While in Saitsohpen, he lived close to the missionaries and he observed their style and learnt the English language,” Lamare added.
N. Munish Singh, regional officer of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), described the poems of Soso Tham in the following words, “One can feel the land through his poems.”
“It is high time to promote the works of Soso Tham beyond the Khasi Hills to promote him as a poet from the North East India,” he added.
Singh assured that the office of ICCR would discuss his literary works in festivals abroad so that Tham’s works are recognised outside the boundaries of the North East.
Tham is widely regarded as a driving force to uplift the Khasi language with rich literary contribution such as Ka Duitara Ksiar (The Golden Duitara), Ka Sngi barim U Hynniewtrep (The ancient days of seven huts), his translated works included that of Aesop’s Fables (Ki phawar U Aesop), Charles Dicken’s “Life of our Lord” (Ka jingim u Trai jong ngi).
Singh said his office would sponsor a documentary on Soso Tham that will feature places associated with the bard and have lyrics from his poems.
Later, a play titled Na shata dar was performed by Ki Mawshamok.
Remembering the bard in Sohra
Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Sohra organised ‘Ka Soso Tham Play Day Festival’ at Iewthymmai playground in Sohra on Monday.
Chief Secretary Y Tsering was the chief guest at the programme.
About 1,200 students from different sections of Mission’s schools participated in Calisthenics, thematic martial arts, yoga and khasi traditional dance styles.
