The house where the founding father of Asia's first private medical college, which turns 100 next year, was born and spent his early years is lying in ruins in Santragachhi.

Radha Gobinda Kar, after whom is named the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was born to Durgadas and Chandramoni Devi in 1850 at 47 Sastri Narendranath Ganguli Road in Santragachhi.

"In most official documents, RG Kar's birth year is shown as 1852, but the family tree says he was born in 1850," said Partha Kar, a member of the family. "I belong to RG Kar's great grandfather's brother's family."

RG Kar shifted to north Calcutta while he was studying in Hare School but continued to visit relatives in the Santragachhi house. "Before his death, he donated all his property in north Calcutta to charity. He was childless," Partha said.

RG Kar was touched by nationalism in the later half of the 19th century when he returned from the UK after completing his medical studies. He wanted to start a medical school, separate from the official institutions under the British. Kar, along with nine physicians, started Calcutta School of Medicine at Baithakkhana Bazaar in 1886. The institution changed name and address several times, finally moving to its present location at Belgachhia in 1903. In 1948, it became RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

RG Kar was also known for his acting skills. "He had acted with Nati Binodini on stage. Binodini had mentioned this in an interview, which was published in the book Binodini Gatha," said Partha.