Shillong: Meghalaya state in northeastern India has mourned the death of a renowned writer who had translated the Bhagavad Gita and Hindu epics into the Khasi language.

Leslie Harding Pde, former Meghalaya bureaucrat, died on January 16 at a hospital in Shillong, the state capital, following a brief illness. He was 79.

His funeral is scheduled on January 18 at Laitumkhrah Catholic cemetery in Shillong.

He was born on April 13, 1938, at Mawngap village in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district.

A local news website thenortheasttoday.com hailed Pde as the cultural star of Meghalaya. He was popularly known as ‘Bah Best Bha.’

“He was a man with multiple talents. A retired commissioner to the government of Meghalaya, Mr Pde was also a prominent writer, dramatist persona, an agent of social change and a comedian par excellence,” the website says.

He was also one of the oldest Radio Jockeys in the country. He was associated with the first RJs of Red FM Shillong from its inception.

Pde has authored more than 20 books and translated Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Upanishads into Khasi language. He was also famous as a playwright and humorist.

He had also revolutionized the concept of Khasi serial in Meghalaya with his humorous yet satirical message filled drama “U Bah Besbha’ and other dramas in Doordarshan Kendra Shillong.

In his novels, Pde boldly narrated the changing face of Khasi society and depicted women in their struggles and suffering.

He also brought in the socio-economic, political and religious factors that shape modem Khasi society and also depicted the good as well as the bad influence of the way of life of people from other communities.

Pde, who was also founder member of Seng Biria U Khasi Humourists’ Society, had received many awards in recognition of his novels.

The artist was known for his role as Bah Best-Bha, an iconic character in the Khasi drama called Seng Biria U Khasi.

Pde also scripted the first ever Khasi Sitcom “Ki Kam U Bah Besbha” on Television which was launched as a TV Serial exclusively on DD Shillong. He had become a household name in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills and his satire on the day-to-day events in Meghalaya had a positive impact on many.

He contributed immeasurably to the popularity of Doordarshan Shillong since its inception in 1993.