Shillong, Dec 18: “You don’t realise the value of a person until they’re gone” is a classic reflection of the life of the most honored poet of the Khasi people – U Soso Tham.

Born in 1873 in Sohra, Meghalaya, U Soso Tham, a beacon of Khasi literature, shone brightly and will always be remembered, despite his humble beginnings and limited formal education. December 18 is annually observed as the death anniversary of this great poet.

Annually, the government of Meghalaya marks this day as a state holiday to honour the invaluable contributions of U Soso Tham to Khasi literature.

However, life was not kind to U Soso Tham when he was alive. He did not live a life of luxury but faced numerous hardships, likely until his final days.

Due to poverty and the untimely demise of his father, Hat Tongper, U Soso Tham had to leave school in the eighth standard. He was the third and only son in a family of four children. Despite his limited formal education, this never hindered him from becoming the greatest poet in Khasi history.

U Soso Tham was born a genius, but his brilliance was not recognized by the broader community of his small village in Sohra. He was labeled as having an “unsound mind” because he often uttered his self-composed poems while sitting alone or wandering through the village. Sadly, his genius was misunderstood by the people around him.

He eventually moved to Shillong city to support himself. It was here that his genius was finally acknowledged. On October 12, 1905, he was appointed a school teacher at Shillong Government Boys’ High School in Mawkhar. Yet, for reasons unknown, U Soso Tham continued to be labeled a “lunatic teacher” by his students.

In 1925, U Soso Tham published his first work, Ka Duitara Ksiar (The Golden Harp), a collection of 46 short poems. Although the book is now celebrated as one of the greatest literary works in Khasi, he faced immense challenges during its publication. He went door-to-door, like a street vendor, trying to sell his book, only to be met with ridicule and rejection. Even the educated elite of the era failed to appreciate his talent or honor him as he deserved.

The tragic frustration of U Soso Tham is evident in his poems, where his words continue to resonate deeply with readers today, touching hearts with their emotional intensity and raw honesty.

Despite all the challenges and financial hardships, U Soso Tham remained undeterred in pursuing what he loved the most.

In 1936, he published his second book, Ki Sngi Ba Rim U Hynniew Trep (The Olden Days of U Hynniew Trep), a long poem comprising 181 stanzas of six lines, divided into 10 sections, each with a unique heading.

He was self-taught in the English language, which helped him explore new horizons. He translated Aesop’s Fables into Khasi, which remains a cornerstone of Khasi literature, widely embraced by the community. He also translated Charles Dickens’ ‘The Life of Our Lord’ and Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’, renamed ‘U Kyllang’. Sadly, the manuscript of his translation of ‘The Tempest’ was lost. His contributions elevated the Khasi language, solidifying his place as the greatest literary icon in Meghalaya’s history.

A natural poet, U Soso Tham was a man of enthusiasm and spirit. While his work has often been compared to that of world-renowned poets, it is appreciated only within the confines of the Khasi-Jaintia region.

Even today, on the 84th anniversary of his death, his legacy remains a breath of life for the Khasi people.

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