Gauripur HousePhoto: STAR

The exquisitely designed two-storied Gauripur House continues to be a reminder of the zamindars of the locality. Located by the banks of the Old Brahmaputra river, on Jubilee Road in the district town, the ground floor of the house is now being used as the supporting office of the Sonali Bank Principal Office, Mymensingh, while the first floor is used as a guest house for the bank's higher ups.
The wooden house, surrounded by a beautiful garden, was built some 90 years ago but the actual date of construction remains unknown. However, it is known that Zamindar Sri Brajendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury commissioned the construction.
Brajendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury (1281-1364 Bengali Year) was a sophisticated elite, known for his command over and passion for classical music. The zamindar invited and had master classical artistes of the subcontinent such as Enayat Khan (father of Ustad Bilayet Khan), Mohammad Ali Khan, Ustad Masid Khan, Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan and Dabir Khan at the Gauripur House. The house had witnessed many unforgettable nights of music.
Birendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury, son of Brajendra Kishore, had his taalim (lessons) under Enayat Khan and Mohammad Ali Khan in classical music and instruments like sur bahar, sur sringar, esraj and beena. Birendra also published a monthly newspaper called Sangeet Bigyan Probeshika from Kolkata. In addition, he wrote books on classical music like "The Status of Tansen in Hindustan Music and Raaga Sangeet".
Sohrab Hossain Sarker who witnessed the building of the house told this correspondent that he could not remember the actual date of its construction. “However, the Chinese workers' relentless labour remains etched in my memory,” said Sarker.
Sri Derish Chandra Dev, 90, who came to Mymensingh in 1932 at the age of 12 said that during the British Raj, the house was enchanting and it should be preserved as a heritage site.
Unfortunately, add sources, the Archaeological Department never took adequate steps to bring the house under its authority and preserve it.