The ancestral home of the renowned singer and composer Subir Nandi is in ruins and in a state of abandonment. It is in danger of becoming a hang-out for local thugs and goons.
Individuals involved with cultural organizations, local residents and fans of the recently deceased artiste have expressed their disappointment at the condition of his home. Subir Nandi’s death was a bad blow to the nation’s cultural arena.
In this regard, a good number of people petitioners have in a petition urged the Department of Archaeology to take prompt steps to preserve the building in Nandipara of Baniachong upazila in Habiganj.
Dr Ataur Rahman at the Department of Archaeology said: “The department has received the letter seeking the preservation of renowned artiste Subir Nandi’s ancestral home in Habiganj. I will gladly undertake this responsibility once I am assigned the job. I have matters to attend to in Habiganj and during my stay, I will visit the structure.”
Freedom Fighter Golam Mostofa Rafiq, a childhood friend of Subir Nandi, said: "Subir wanted his body to be cremated here in Habiganj as he loved his home here. But sadly his wish could not be fulfilled. We should renovate the remains of his ancestral home and build a museum in his memory through which his works may be disseminated among the younger generation."
Abul Fazl, general secretary of the cultural organization Habiganj Soor Bitan, said: "If we can free the house from intrusion and build a library or a museum in his memory, his works may live on among the generations to come."
Biplob Roy Sujan, coordinating secretary of the Habiganj district unit of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), and Imdadul Haque, a local cultural activist, expressed similar sentiments on the issue.
Kajal Chatterjee, general secretary of BHBCUC, said: "Subir Nandi was a renowned singer of the subcontinent. We demand that his ancestral home be freed from the grip of those indulging in unlawful activities on the premises and preserved for purposes of cultural expansion in the region."
In his comments, Mamun Khandaker, Baniachong Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), said: "We have sent a letter to the Department of Archaeology to turn his ancestral home into a museum. The upazila administration will provide full support while our request is being processed."
Subir Nandi had been suffering from heart disease before his death at a Singapore hospital from multiple organ failure. The singer’s funeral was held at Sri Sri Baradeshwari Kalimata Temple and Crematorium under the Sabujbag police station of Dhaka.
He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer five times for his performance in the films Mahanayak (1984), Shuvoda (1986), Srabon Megher Din (1999), Megher Pore Megh (2004) and Mohua Sundori (2015).
He sang over 2,500 songs during his 40-year career as a playback singer and was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2019.
