NEW DELHI– Bangladesh has suspended the demolition of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home in Mymensingh after India expressed concern and offered to assist with its restoration. A local committee has now been formed to explore possibilities for reconstructing what remains of the structure, which currently consists of only a few standing walls.
The house originally belonged to Ray’s grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, a pioneering figure in Bengali children’s literature and a key contributor to the Bengal Renaissance.
The issue gained traction after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly appealed to the Indian government to intervene and urged Bangladesh to preserve the culturally significant site.
In a post on her official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Banerjee called the reports of the demolition “extremely distressing.”
“The Ray family is one of the foremost torchbearers of Bengali culture. Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury is a pillar of Bengal’s renaissance. This house is deeply tied to our cultural heritage. I appeal to the Bangladesh government and all conscientious citizens of that country to help preserve this historic site. The Government of India should also give the matter due attention,” she wrote.
Following Banerjee’s appeal, the Indian government formally expressed its interest in working with Bangladesh to restore and preserve the property.
“We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of renowned filmmaker and author Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, which belonged to his grandfather and eminent litterateur Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished,” said a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.
“The property, currently owned by the Government of Bangladesh, is in a state of disrepair. Given its historical and cultural significance as a symbol of the Bangla cultural renaissance, we believe it would be preferable to reconsider its demolition. Options should be explored for restoring the structure and potentially converting it into a museum of literature and shared heritage between India and Bangladesh,” the ministry added.
The Indian government also stated that it is willing to provide support for such a project.
According to a report by NDTV, Bangladeshi authorities had originally cited safety concerns as the reason for the demolition and had proposed replacing the building with a new cultural center. (Source: IANS)
