She Called It A Cultural Crime
Renowned television actress Rupali Ganguly has publicly condemned the demolition of the ancestral home of iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The actress, known for her role in the popular TV series Anupamaa, expressed her anger and disappointment on social media on July 16, igniting a wave of criticism against what many are calling a disrespectful erasure of Bengali cultural history.
Referring to the act as both "disgusting and unforgivable," Rupali accused the Bangladeshi authorities, particularly under the “moral leadership” of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, of not just demolishing a building, but of sending a deeper message against art and legacy. She emphasized that the destruction of the house once owned by Ray’s grandfather, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, was more than physical—it was symbolic. According to her, it reflected a mindset that feared artistic brilliance and chose to erase cultural footprints instead of preserving them.
The house, located on Harikishore Ray Road, held great historical value. Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury was a noted figure in Bengali literature and publishing, and the home served as a symbol of Bengal’s rich literary and artistic heritage. Though the property came under government ownership following the Partition, it later functioned as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy in the 1980s. Over time, the building deteriorated and was recently razed to make space for a new semi-permanent facility.
This move has angered many in India and across the global Bengali community. The outrage stems not only from the loss of a tangible link to the legacy of Satyajit Ray—whose works like Pather Panchali, Charulata, and The Apu Trilogy revolutionized world cinema—but also from the lack of effort to preserve or restore the site. Rupali Ganguly called it a “cultural crime,” accusing authorities of celebrating violence over culture and revealing their true ideological intentions through this act.
The Indian government has also taken note of the issue. The Ministry of External Affairs released a formal statement urging the Bangladeshi authorities to reconsider the demolition and proposed an alternative solution. They offered to help restore the site and suggested turning it into a museum honoring Ray’s monumental contributions to Indian and global cinema.
As the debate continues, Rupali Ganguly’s bold stance has struck a chord with countless fans and cultural advocates. Her words have added urgency to the growing demand for the protection and celebration of South Asia’s shared artistic heritage—before more of it vanishes forever.
Tags: Satyajit Ray, Rupali Ganguly, Bangladesh, House, Art
No comments:
Post a Comment