The works of U Soso Tham, Khasi Poet need to explore at the International level: Munish Singh

Shillong, December  18: Mr Munish Singh the Regional Director of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), on the 76^th anniversary  of the Khasi great poet U Soso Tham  said that  there is a greater need to promote the works of litterateur of this genius writer  at the International level.

Addressing a function to commemorate the 76th death anniversary of U Soso Tham on Wednesday, Singh said, he belief that U Soso Tham is of national and international level.  His office deals with more on International activities with India and the rest of the world.

He said he would request the family member of Soso Tham to find ways on how to popularize and promote the works of this legendary poet in the International stage and if any kind of support is needed to achieve this goal, ICCR is ready come forth.

It may be reminded that born to a very poor family, U Soso Tham – born in 1873 in Sohra, or Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, was a Khasi poet. He was the first poet to initiate secular literature with diction, both singular and genuine.

He was also the first person to make use of Khasi idioms in a form taken mainly from English poetry. U Soso Tham is basically remembered for his beautiful poems “Ka Duitara Kshiar”  The Golden Harp, 1925  a compilation of poems, is one of the most distinguished works.

Singh also stressed on the need that people should learn and get inspired from his writings.He said that he is not an  expert on Khasi literature but the one name that struck my attention after my transfer from Delhi to Shillong was the name of Soso Tham.

He added, U Soso Tham is not just a name but an institute in itself, where as a person who does not know much of the Khasi culture and literature upon reading the works of this poet,he believe they will know much about the Khasi culture. Singh informed that he has gone through many of his poems like ‘ka duitara ksiar’ and many others.