In a move sparking emotional outcry and diplomatic engagement, the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home demolition in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, triggering criticism from cultural leaders, the Indian government, and heritage lovers across South Asia.
Satyajit Ray’s Ancestral Home Demolition: A Heritage Erased?
The historic house, built over a century ago by Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury—Ray’s grandfather and a pioneer of the Bengal Renaissance—was until recently functioning as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy, a government-run children’s center.
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However, citing structural risks to children and the need for a new semi-concrete building for academy activities, Bangladeshi authorities began razing the building. Local officials claim the Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home demolition followed due approvals.
Cultural Icons Raise the Alarm
News about Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home demolition spread rapidly after Bangladesh’s Daily Star reported it, prompting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to issue a heartfelt response on social media:
“This is heartbreaking news… The Ray family is one of the most prominent torchbearers of Bengal’s culture. This house is inextricably linked to Bengal’s cultural history. I appeal to the Bangladeshi government to preserve this edifice of rich tradition.”
Banerjee also urged the Indian government to intervene.
India Steps In to Save Ray’s Legacy
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an official statement expressing “profound regret” over the Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home demolition and offered to help restore the site into a Museum of Literature:
“Given the building’s landmark status… it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition. The Government of India would be willing to extend cooperation to repair and reconstruct it as a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh.”
This gesture is being widely welcomed by cultural communities on both sides of the border.
Why This Matters: Beyond Bricks and Mortar
This isn’t just about a house. The Ray residence represents the soul of the Bengali Renaissance—a chapter in history that binds India and Bangladesh culturally and intellectually.
Upendrakishore, along with his son Sukumar Ray and grandson Satyajit Ray, contributed immensely to literature, arts, filmmaking, and children’s education—a legacy that transcends borders.
A Museum, Not Rubble?
Both the Indian government and West Bengal CM propose a transformative alternative—to convert the site into a museum celebrating the Ray family’s literary and cultural contributions.
Such a move could:
- Preserve cross-border cultural heritage
- Promote tourism and bilateral goodwill
- Educate future generations about South Asia’s intellectual giants
Background: Who Owned the House?
Post-Partition, the house came under the ownership of the Bangladesh government and was turned into the Shishu Academy in 1989. It had long suffered from disrepair, but many believe restoration—not demolition—was the answer.
Final Thoughts
The Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home demolition is more than a local event—it’s a wake-up call for heritage preservation in the subcontinent. As India offers a helping hand, the ball is now in Bangladesh’s court.
Will this house rise again—not as ruins, but as a beacon of shared cultural pride?
Disclaimer : The articles is based on the available information on social media site and reliable news site at the time of publishing.