SHILLONG, DEC 18: Khasi legendary bard U Soso Tham can become a ‘role-model’ for the youth of today and also learn from his works which teaches the importance of documenting traditional custom and practices, former Meghalaya home minister and Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) vice chancellor RG Lyngdoh said.
“Today when we look at the youth around us, we find that there is a lack of role models. I think this is one person who can fill in that gap and become the role model for the youth of today,” he said.
Lyngdoh was addressing the function organized in remembrance of U Soso Tham on his 75th death anniversary in the city here on Friday.
Stating that his writings are very much relevant even today, he said, “If you look what we need to do for the environment, we just have to visit his poems and get inspiration from there, if you look at how we need to preserve our culture, we just need to go back to his poems and we will find it there.”
He further stated the concern that U Soso Tham had for culture is very correct because a tree without roots is just a log but when you look at the way he has translated Aesop’s fables and other writings from the west into Khasi, it shows that he is not overly obsessed with his roots adding he saw the merit in taking what was good from cultures other than the Khasis and bringing in into our own so that we grow better as a Khasi people.
Emphasizing that this is something that our present Khasi youth need to look at, Lyngdoh said, “Yes, we have to look at our roots, I fully support and subscribe to that but it is no point burying our heads in the sand like ostriches pretending that we can’t see what is really happening around.”
According to the former minister, another big thing Soso Tham did, which was very important, was that through his poetry and writings, he had documented a lot of Khasi beliefs and legends which needs to be done even today.
“It’s not just in terms of being proud of ourselves, or taking on of what is good from others but he has shown us the importance of documenting things and I think this is something which we so badly lacks,” he said.
Asserting that the state needs to document a lot of the traditional customs, beliefs, and laws, he said, “The problem we are seeing today between the District Council and the State government or between the headmen and the government and the role the High Court is playing shows there is a tremendous need to document all our customary laws and practices.”
“If we do not document the customs we have today lose them or somebody else interprets them wrongly and we have controversy that comes out of it,” Lyngdoh warns while adding “I hope we wake up and I hope we start writing things down properly.”
Lyngdoh also said that remembering U Soso Tham should not be done only on December 18, but he should be brought to the forefront on a regular basis.
“Different aspect of his life should be shown regularly to the youth at different function then only we will really be able to understand this man, then, and only then, will be able to really pay respect to what this man has given to us as a Khasi people,” he said.
He added, “If we can really emulate the life he has led, if we can really follow the teachings he has given us, I am sure that we as a Khasi people will shine and will be able to grow leaps and bounds and not remain stagnant like the way we have been in the past few years as we have not been able to take of the so many opportunities that are there around us as people.”
Reiterating that this great man should be remembered and revered in a better manner, he said, “The place from where he came from should be declared a ‘heritage site’ because we don’t have very many luminaries among our people… I hope the family will come forward to ensure this great man be remembered in an honourable way that he deserved.”
Born to a poor family in Nongsawlia in Sohra (erstwhile Cherrapunji) in 1873, Tham, though not very highly educated, had produced many literary works before his death at the age of 67 on December 18, 1940.
Earlier during the day, many from different quarters including Khasi Students Union (KSU), Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) and students from different school laid floral wreaths as a mark of paying rich tribute and homage to U Soso Tham.-By Our Reporter
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