End to controversy over Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home is needed

Satyajit Ray’s ancestral house, rich in memories, is being demolished in Mymensingh to construct a new building for the Shishu Academy—this has been a topic of media discussion for several days. The issue has also sparked debate and criticism on social media. Satyajit Ray was a legendary figure in Bengali literature and cinema; his father Sukumar Ray and grandfather Upendrakishore Ray were also prominent figures in Bengali language and literature and pioneers in children’s literature.

The news that their memory-laden house is being demolished has naturally saddened the culturally conscious people of the country. However, according to news published on Thursday (July 17), Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mofidul Alam stated at a press conference on Wednesday that no official records or documents contain the name of Satyajit Ray or any of his ancestors for the land or house claimed to belong to them. According to the RS (Revisional Survey) record, the property is registered under the Government of Bangladesh.

According to available information, the road behind Shoshiloj in Mymensingh city is named Harikishore Ray Road. Harikishore Ray was a zamindar of the Masua Zamindar Bari in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj. He was an ancestor of Upendrakishore Ray, Sukumar Ray, and Satyajit Ray. The old one-storey building on this road has been used by the Bangladesh Shishu Academy since 1989. For the past 10 years, no activities could be conducted in the dilapidated building, and it had been abandoned. In order to build a semi-permanent room for the activities of the Shishu Academy, demolition work of the old house has been ongoing for the past few days.

Objection has been raised not only in the country but also by the Indian government. Referring to the house as carrying memories of Satyajit Ray’s ancestors, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has expressed its willingness to assist in restoring and reconstructing the house. West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also urged the Government of Bangladesh to reconsider the decision to demolish the house.

The question is: why are none of the names of Satyajit Ray’s ancestors present in the documents for a house historically known to be theirs? And if their names are not in the documents, how did it come to be recognised as Satyajit Ray’s ancestral house?

Over time, much history may fade away, but even if not documented, there is no way to deny the historical significance of the house. It is regrettable that the District Children’s Affairs Officer of Mymensingh Children’s Academy, Md Mehedi Zaman, told the media, “The Academy is currently operating from a rented house. The structure is being demolished following all procedures and with permission from the proper authorities. A semi-permanent structure will be built here for now.”

In response to the question of whether it was possible to construct a 4–5 room semi-permanent building while preserving the structure standing on the 36 decimal land, the official said, “If the house remained, there would have been risks for children’s movement.” He also admitted that he was unaware of the historical significance of the house.

Before demolishing any century-old house, one should at least think a hundred times. Any century-old structure inherently possesses historical value. But in Bangladesh, there seems to be no concern for preserving history and heritage. Upon seeing an old or dilapidated building, self-interested people rush to demolish it. They do not seek to know its history or heritage. Many such historic buildings have been demolished before. Recently in Rajshahi, the last memory of Ritwik Ghatak was erased. In the dead of night, the legendary filmmaker’s ancestral house was razed to the ground. For such disgraceful actions, we must one day stand in the dock of history.

We now strongly urge the government to bring a swift end to the ongoing controversy regarding Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home. Whoever the house legally belongs to, its final remnants should be preserved as far as possible, considering its historical value. The government must also take a proactive role to ensure that no such incidents occur in the future.