Shillong, Dec 18: Meghalaya governor , C.H. Vijayashankar, on Thursday led the state-level commemoration of the 85th death anniversary of legendary Khasi poet laureate U Soso Tham at a programme organised by the Department of Arts and Culture.
The governor paid his respects and laid a wreath in honour of U Soso Tham. The programme was attended by Sanbor Shullai, Minister of Arts and Culture Frederick Kharkongor, Principal Secretary, Department of Arts and Culture; Harish Chaudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor of Meghalaya; I Majaw, Director of Arts and Culture; family members of U Soso Tham, along with invited dignitaries, scholars, teachers, students and members of the public.
In his keynote address, Vijayashankar observed that “those who do not know their history cannot create history.” He called upon the younger generation to reconnect with their roots and draw inspiration from the values and commitment of their forefathers.
Praising Tham as a lifelong champion of linguistic pride and cultural values, the governor described his works as a continuing “soul of inspiration” for society. He also emphasised the need for a holistic approach to education and creativity, urging youth to engage not only in sports and music but also in visual, performative and literary arts for balanced personal development.
Welcoming the gathering, Principal Secretary, Arts and Culture, Frederick Kharkongor highlighted that U Soso Tham was not merely a poet but a visionary who transformed rich Khasi oral traditions into a disciplined written form, ensuring their preservation for future generations. His literary contributions gave permanence to language, history and cultural practices that might otherwise have been lost to time.
Discussions during the programme underscored the state government’s continued efforts to seek inclusion of the Khasi language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution, also recognising Tham’s role in shaping a shared linguistic and cultural identity. Reference was also made to the Chief Minister’s Research Grants of Rs 3 lakh each, under which 48 students were selected last year to pursue studies on themes such as land, language and lineage. Efforts to collaborate with foreign universities for advanced research on Khasi culture and heritage were also highlighted.
Addressing the gathering, Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai described Tham as a national literary icon whose works form the cultural signature of Khasi identity.
Recalling his personal experiences of reading classics such as Ka Duitara Ksiar (The Golden Harp) and Ki Sngi Barim u Hynniew Trep (The Olden Days of the Seven Huts), the Minister said these works did more than create poetry, they revived collective memory, moral philosophy and a deep sense of belonging among the Khasi people.
The programme featured a welcome song by Fidelity, a student of Memorial Senior Secondary School, followed by a special classical dance presentation titled “Notun Ashar Vani”, blending classical performance with oral traditions.
As part of the celebrations, prizes were distributed to winners of various competitions held on December 15 and 16, including poetry writing and recitation, quiz, singing and art competitions, hosted by Sohra Government College. Students from institutions such as St. Dominic’s School and Auxilium Higher Secondary School were among the awardees.
The programme brought together eminent dignitaries, scholars, writers, students and cultural practitioners to pay homage to U Soso, whose works laid the foundation for preserving Khasi language, history and cultural identity through written literature.
