Confusion, controversy brews over Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home in Mymensingh, demolition halted after a third torn down

Authorities in Mymensingh halted the demolition of a century-old house yesterday (16 July) amid confusion and controversy over its historical significance, with some claiming it belonged to the ancestors of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray and others arguing it was the temporary residence of philanthropist Ranada Prasad Saha of Tangail. 

Archaeological researcher Swapan Dhar has asserted that the house, which has already been mostly demolished, was used temporarily by Ranada, not the Ray family.

The building had been categorised as a second-tier heritage site under an urban preservation plan, and no one had the right to demolish it, said Swapan. 

"This was the temporary residence of philanthropist Ranada Prasad Saha from Mirzapur, Tangail. There is no disagreement about that. We have all the relevant research documents," he told Prothom Alo recently.

"In 2016-17, the German government funded a research and exhibition project under which this house was studied," Swapan explained. 

"Under the Mymensingh Urban Heritage Management Plan, we identified 320 historic homes in collaboration with French archaeologist Rumen Larcher. These were categorised into three tiers.

"The house in question was classified as a second-category structure. No one has the right to demolish such a heritage structure, and doing so is not appropriate," he added.

Addressing claims about this building's link to Satyajit Ray's family, Swapan said, "The house that did belong to the Ray family is a rare structure, but it's located a short distance from here. But this one, though located on a road named after Horikishore Ray, a relative of Satyajit Ray, is not the same house."

The demolition of the building, located on Horikishore Ray Road in Mymensingh city, sparked widespread outrage after videos and photos of the partially destroyed structure surfaced online. 

The house was previously used as the District Shishu Academy office.

Cultural activists and international observers condemned the act, prompting authorities to intervene.

Sabina Yasmin, a field officer of the Department of Archaeology's Shashi Lodge Museum, had sent a written request to the district's child affairs officer seeking clarification over the demolition, according to the Prothom Alo report.

She said, "Though it is not officially listed as an archaeological site, it is a century-old structure believed to be the ancestral house of Satyajit Ray. It has the potential to be recognised as a protected heritage site."

She told Prothom Alo yesterday, "A third of the house has already been demolished. The matter has been reported in writing to the higher authorities, who will now decide on its preservation. I received the house as belonging to the Ray family, but many are claiming otherwise. Demolition has been halted since this morning [16 July]."

The debate intensified after statements reportedly came from the chief minister of West Bengal and representatives of the Indian government, raising concern over the building's reported link to Satyajit Ray, who is loved by all on both sides of the border.

Talking to reporters, District Child Affairs Officer Md Mehedi Zaman confirmed the suspension of the demolition following the instruction of the district's deputy commissioner. "A meeting on the matter will be held at 4pm today [16 July]. More details will be shared afterwards."

Afroza Khan, regional director of the Department of Archaeology for Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions, also acknowledged the development. 

"Much of the house has already been demolished. After the issue came to our attention, the field officer was instructed to submit a report. Further actions will be decided based on the findings," she said.