Echoes of the Land: An Eco-critical Study of Selected Poems from Soso Tham’s Ka Duitara Ksiar"

Ecocriticism as a theoretical approach investigates the connection between literature and nature, providing understanding of how texts interact with ecological ethics and sustainability. Indigenous literature, in this case, that of the Khasi people, portrays a profound respect for nature, pointing to the interconnectedness of all living things. Soso Tham, an early Khasi poet, infuses his poetry with environmental awareness, depicting the Khasi conception of coexisting with nature. By means of ecocritical evaluation of some poems like U Khun U Adam, Ka Dak ha U Maw, Ki Kshaid ba Rymphum and Ka Pyrem, this paper delves into different aspects of human-nature relations, ranging from admiration and reliance to neglect and exploitation. Through the analysis of Tham's poetic depiction of rural existence, seasonal rejuvenation, and environmental consciousness, this paper highlights his ecological philosophy, enlightening readers on how Tham perceived Nature and its relevance in the modern environmental context.