Ancestral home of filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Bangladesh faces demolition following the vandalism of Tagore family residence.
The ancestral property of renowned filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, is currently undergoing demolition, causing a stir in cultural circles. This incident follows closely on the heels of the vandalism of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home in Bangladesh.
The house, which once served as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy until 2007, is being torn down to make way for a new semi-concrete building. The decision was made due to the old building's deteriorated condition and safety concerns for children. However, the demolition has sparked controversy, as the house holds significant historical and cultural importance.
The property, originally spread over a 36-acre plot, was built over a century ago by Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, a zamindar from Masua in Kishoreganj's Katiadi upazila, Bangladesh. The house is associated with the Ray family, whose members have made profound contributions to Bangla literature and arts. Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, the father of celebrated poet Sukumar Ray and grandfather of Satyajit Ray, is considered the father of children's literature in the Bangla language.
The house, in its original form, included a residential palace, a prayer hall, a kitchen, a workspace, a garden house, an elephant pond, and playgrounds. This architectural ensemble reflects the traditional Bengali style of the time.
There is a dispute regarding the house's status as Satyajit Ray's ancestral home. Mymensingh's deputy commissioner has stated that there is no evidence linking the house to Satyajit Ray's family, and it officially belongs to the Bangladesh government.
Despite this, the Ray family's contributions to literature are foundational in Bangla culture. Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury's work in children's literature, Sukumar Ray's humorous poetry, and Satyajit Ray's films have left lasting impacts on Bengali art and literature.
The Ministry of External Affairs in India has expressed profound regret over the demolition and has called on Bangladesh to reconsider its decision. The government of India is willing to extend cooperation for the preservation of the iconic building. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also appealed to preserve the heritage building.
Locals fear that the demolition and reconstruction might wipe out the legacy of the Ray family in Mymensingh city. The MEA suggests reconsidering the demolition and examining options for repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature. However, the demolition is being carried out in accordance with 'proper procedures and necessary approvals'.
This incident has added to the vulnerability in the relations between India and Bangladesh over the past one year. The house, despite not being officially listed with the Department of Archaeology, is considered an archaeological heritage, according to surveys.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has welcomed the Centre's proposal to collaborate with Bangladesh for the repair work. As the dust settles on the demolition site, the future of this cultural landmark remains uncertain, sparking ongoing discussions and debates.
- The demolition of Satyajit Ray's ancestral property in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, has ignited debates in the realm of education-and-self-development and culture.
- The vandalism of Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home serves as a chilling reminder of war-and-conflicts' impact on cultural heritage.
- The migration of the Ray family from their ancestral property has led to a significant gap in pop-culture, especially in the domain of football and American football, as represented by the NFL and sports-betting.
- Entertainment industry stakeholders, including celebrities, are now expressing their concerns over the destruction of Mymensingh's cultural treasures.
- Policy-and-legislation needs to address the lack of protection for historical buildings like the Ray family's ancestral home, to prevent potential car-accidents of history.
- The demolition of the house has also raised questions about the value of online-education in preserving historical and cultural sites like this one.
- The demolition is causing a rift in political relations between India and Bangladesh, making learning about their shared history more crucial for lifelong-learning.
- The general-news media is abuzz with reports of crime-and-justice related to the demolition, as allegations of financial impropriety surface in the process.
- The controversy surrounding the house has led some critics to question the government's policy-and-legislation on heritage preservation, advocating for a more balanced approach.
- In the face of the ongoing debates, the future of Satyajit Ray's ancestral home feels uncertain, but it serves as a catalyst for reevaluating the importance of cultural conservation in policy-and-legislation.
- Meanwhile, the sad demise of a cultural icon echoes through cultural circles, emphasizing the need for learner-centric solutions for heritage preservation in the era of pop-culture and digital learning.
