New Delhi: India has formally urged Bangladesh to reconsider its decision to demolish the ancestral home of iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray, offering assistance to restore the historic property and transform it into a museum of literature and cultural heritage.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed “profound regret” over the planned demolition of the house located in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The residence once belonged to Ray’s grandfather, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, a noted writer, publisher, and intellectual associated with the Bengali cultural renaissance.
“We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, is being demolished,” the MEA said. It emphasized that the building, currently under the ownership of the Bangladesh government, was in a state of disrepair, but urged that it be preserved given its landmark status and historic value.
A Symbol of Shared Culture
Calling the house a symbol of the shared literary and cultural legacy between India and Bangladesh, the Indian government has proposed converting it into a museum, commemorating both Ray’s legacy and the broader Bengali cultural identity.
“Given the building’s landmark status, symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature,” the MEA said, adding that India would be willing to cooperate in the preservation efforts.
Political Voices in India Join Appeal
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the demolition plans as “extremely distressing,” urging the Bangladesh government and the broader civil society in the country to take immediate steps to preserve the heritage site.
“I appeal to the Bangladesh government and all conscientious people of that country to take steps to preserve this heritage building,” Banerjee said in a social media post. She also called upon the Indian government to intervene diplomatically to prevent the demolition.
The House of a Cultural Pioneer
The house in question once belonged to Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, a towering figure in Bengali literature and publishing, best known for his contributions to children’s literature and the famous Bengali magazine Sandesh, which he founded in 1913. His legacy was carried forward by his son Sukumar Ray and grandson Satyajit Ray, both of whom became luminaries in their own right.
Satyajit Ray, who passed away in 1992, is globally regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century, with critically acclaimed works such as the Apu Trilogy, Charulata, and Shatranj Ke Khilari. His cinematic and literary contributions earned him India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1992.
The planned demolition of the Mymensingh house has sparked concerns among intellectuals, artists, and cultural activists who see the structure as not just a physical building, but a living memory of the Bengali renaissance and India-Bangladesh historical ties.
