 "Not Satyajit Ray's ancestral home: Bangladesh denies any connection between filmmaker and Mymensingh property")
The Government of Bangladesh on Thursday (July 17) denied reports that a historic property linked to iconic Bengali filmmaker and author Satyajit Ray was being demolished in the northern city of Mymensingh.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a review of archival land records found no connection between the house in question and Ray or his family. The building, located near “Shashi Lodge” in Mymensingh, was originally constructed by local zamindar Shashikant Acharya Chowdhury for his employees, The Economic Times reported citing the statement
“In this regard, Swapan Dhar, an archaeology researcher from Mymensingh, also stated that the house in question is not the ancestral home of Satyajit Ray,” it said. The ministry added that the building is also not listed as an archaeological monument.
The clarification came in response to media reports that claimed the structure being demolished was once the ancestral home of the Ray family.
Ray, considered one of the greatest filmmakers in world cinema, is celebrated for his works such as Pather Panchali, Charulata and The Apu Trilogy. His legacy continues to influence global film and literature.
About Satyajit Ray’s home
Ray’s ancestral home is located on Harikishore Ray Chowdhury Road in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. This expansive property spans 36 acres and was originally constructed by Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, Ray’s grandfather, who was himself a prominent litterateur.
Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury is regarded as the father of children’s literature in the Bangla language. He is well-known for his science articles aimed at children, as well as a wide range of other literary works.
Impact Shorts
View AllA zamindar from Masua in the Katiadi Upazila of Kishoreganj, Ray Chowdhury built the mansion nearly a century ago. The estate included a residential palace, a prayer hall, and a kitchen. Next to the prayer hall, there was a workspace commonly referred to as ‘Kachari Bari.’ The property also featured a garden house, an elephant pond, and a playground. Additionally, there was a small pond at the back of the house and another pond with a concrete ghāt and numerous stairs at the front.
It is worth noting that Satyajit Ray never visited this house in Bangladesh.
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