Dhaka, July 15: The ancestral home of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Dhaka is set for demolition, raising alarms among historians, cultural activists, and local residents concerned about Bangladesh’s fading heritage.
The century-old house, located on Horikishore Ray Chowdhury Road, belonged to Ray’s grandfather, Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury—an eminent writer and publisher—and housed three generations of the Ray literary dynasty, including poet Sukumar Ray.
The site, considered an archaeological heritage, will be replaced by a semi-concrete structure to accommodate a Shishu Academy, according to a report by The Daily Star.
Despite its cultural and historical value, authorities insist the demolition is legal and backed by proper approvals.
However, Dhaka’s Department of Archaeology admitted its repeated attempts to preserve the property have been ignored. Locals have expressed concern that the demolition will erase a vital chapter of the region’s literary and cultural legacy.
Satyajit Ray, who drew global acclaim for his humanist cinema, is widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. His influence spans generations and geographies, having inspired directors like Martin Scorsese.
The planned demolition of his ancestral home is seen by many as symbolic of a broader pattern of heritage erasure currently unfolding across Bangladesh.
Since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus came to power in August 2024, following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League administration, over 1,500 sculptures, murals, and memorials have reportedly been vandalized, set ablaze, or removed.
This includes high-profile sites such as the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur, demolished by radicals in April. The memorial honored intellectuals killed during the 1971 Liberation War.
Videos of its destruction triggered nationwide outrage and were seen as part of a wider attempt to undermine Bangladesh’s national identity and historical memory.
In March, the Liberation War Memorial Mancha mural in Lalmonirhat was similarly destroyed. It had commemorated pivotal moments in the country’s struggle for independence—including the 1952 language movement, the March 7 speech by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the formation of the Mujibnagar government, and the eventual victory over Pakistani forces.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has renamed roads and landmarks previously dedicated to Awami League leaders and the founding father. Notably, Bangabandhu Avenue was changed to Shaheed Abrar Fahad Avenue.
Experts and rights groups warn that the current government’s actions represent a systematic dismantling of Bangladesh’s historical narrative.
The destruction of Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home—along with dozens of other national monuments—marks a cultural crisis that many fear could result in the permanent loss of Bangladesh’s identity and legacy. (IANS)
