In Memory of A Legend: A Satyajit Ray Film and Art Center

Satyajit Ray, an Indian Bengali filmmaker, writer, and illustrator, remains one of the most influential cultural figures of the 20th century. Internationally celebrated for his subtle, humanistic storytelling, Ray portrayed everyday Bengali life with profound realism and emotional depth. Born of ancestral roots in East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) and achieving global recognition from West Bengal, his legacy transcends political borders, embodying the shared history, language, and cultural sensibility of both Bengals.
This project seeks to revive and celebrate that shared legacy by reimagining Ray’s ancestral property in Katiadi, Kishoreganj, as a Film and Art Center. The site contains a single-storey kachari bari and a two-storey temple, currently under renovation by the Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh. Rather than functioning solely as a memorial, the project elevates the heritage precinct into a living cultural landmark where learning, creation, and storytelling coexist.
Rooted in Ray’s bold philosophical stance on realism and truth, the architectural massing is conceived as a narrative journey—both above and below ground. The built form unfolds gradually, guiding visitors through light-filled upper levels of public gathering and learning spaces as well as residency programs, while subterranean zones offer introspective environments for exhibition, screening, and film studios. This vertical movement symbolizes Ray’s cinematic approach of revealing layered realities beneath the surface of everyday life. Through narrative architecture, the project translates his filmmaking philosophy into spatial experience, preserving his legacy while inspiring future generations to observe, question, and create through art and cinema.