The Indian government expressed deep concern over the demolition of the ancestral home of legendary filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh and offered to assist in restoring the historic structure as a museum of literature.
According to a report published by The Daily Star, the house – once owned by Ray’s grandfather, the renowned writer and publisher Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury – is being torn down to make way for a new semi-concrete structure. The building, which was later repurposed as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy in 1989, has reportedly fallen into disrepair.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished.”
Highlighting the cultural significance of the site, the MEA urged a reconsideration of the demolition plan. “Given the building’s landmark status, symbolising the Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to explore options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh,” the ministry added, stating that India is willing to cooperate on such a restoration project.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also voiced her concern, calling for urgent intervention from both New Delhi and Dhaka. “I learnt from media reports that the memory-entwined ancestral house of renowned writer-editor Upendrakishore Roychowdhury in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh city is being demolished. This is heartbreaking news,” Banerjee said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
She described the Ray family as “torchbearers of Bengal’s culture” and emphasised the heritage value of the house. “Upendrakishore was among the pillars of the Bengal Renaissance. I feel this house is inextricably linked to Bengal’s cultural history. I appeal to the Bangladeshi government and to all right-thinking people of that country to preserve this edifice of rich tradition,” she said.
The building, over a century old and located roughly 120 km north of Dhaka, became government property after the Partition in 1947. A local Bangladeshi official told The Daily Star that the demolition was being carried out in accordance with “proper procedures” and “necessary approvals.”
