Sundarlal Bahuguna. (Sudeshna Banerjee)

The hero of the Chipko movement, Sundarlal Bahuguna, is actually a Bengali and a Bandyopadhyay. Recently in the city as the chief guest at an award programme — organised by the state environment department — the octogenarian claimed that being in Bengal was like a return to roots for him.

“About 800 years ago, three men from a Bandyopadhyay family travelled to the Himalayas. There, they came across the the king of the Garhwals who was ill. These men had knowledge of medicinal herbs and managed to cure the king. In return, the latter gifted them a village called Buguna. Thus their title became Bahuguna. These men were my ancestors and I am actually a Bandyopadhyay,” said Bahuguna to a startled gathering.

Rabindrasangeet animation

This singer has come up with a unique way of paying tribute to Tagore on his 150th birth anniversary. Rajyasree Bandopadhyay has recently released a Rabindrasangeet album for children where animation characters do the storytelling. Ha re re re has eight songs with animations by Partha Das. “I wanted to bring Rabindrasangeet closer to children through animation. Till now children associate animation with only rhymes. Now they can add Rabindrasangeet to their world too,” said the singer.

Sudeshna Banerjee