Bangladesh Halts Demolition of Satyajit Ray's Ancestral Home After Indian Plea
The government of Bangladesh has suspended the demolition of filmmaker Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Mymensingh following interventions from India. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Indian central government had expressed deep regret over the razing of the dilapidated property, a symbol of shared Bengali cultural heritage. In response, Bangladeshi authorities have halted the work and formed a committee to explore options for reconstructing the historic house, with India offering its cooperation for the project.
Unpacked:
The house was built by Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, a pioneering Bengali writer and Satyajit Ray's grandfather. It served as a center for the Ray family's literary and artistic contributions, which played a key role in the Bengali cultural renaissance. Its demolition is viewed as a loss for both Bangladesh and India's shared heritage.
Satyajit Ray never lived in the Mymensingh house, and there is debate about whether even his grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, resided there. Some local historians note Satyajit Ray showed little personal interest in the property, though it remains symbolically linked to his family legacy.
The house was not included in Bangladesh's official heritage list, reportedly due to an administrative oversight by the Mymensingh authorities. As a result, it lacked formal protection, unlike other Ray family properties in the region that are listed as heritage structures.
India's cooperation could include offering financial support, technical expertise, and cultural resources to help restore or reconstruct the property as a museum or cultural center. This gesture aims to preserve the site as a symbol of shared Bengali heritage and strengthen cultural ties between the countries.