This piece traces the evolution of Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne from Upendrakishore Raychowdhury’s 1915 children’s story to its animated reimagining by Karadi Tales. Exploring themes of colonial resistance and the importance of homegrown storytelling, it reflects on how Indian children’s literature and animation help shape empathy and an understanding of India’s diversity.
In 1915, West Bengal, Upendrakishore Raychowdhury published a children’s story titled Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne in Sandesh magazine. Written at a time when British rule loomed large over the Indian subcontinent, the story carried a quiet but potent metaphor for colonial occupation. It introduced two characters who would go on to become part of the Indian folklore canon — Goopy and Bagha.
The tale follows two wandering musicians who are cast out of a tyrannical kingdom, only to eventually find love, dignity, and a sense of belonging in a self-governing forest kingdom. In many ways, their journey mirrored India’s own search for freedom and self-determination under colonial rule. Decades later, the story was adapted for the screen by Raychowdhury’s grandson, Satyajit Ray, in one of his most critically and commercially acclaimed films, 'Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne' (1969).
Building on this legacy, 'Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya' by Karadi Tales reimagines the beloved story for a new generation. This animated adaptation retains the spirit of innocence, friendship, and quiet resistance that defined the original, while translating it into a visual language that speaks to contemporary children. With its handcrafted animation style that feels deliberately rooted in Indian folk art traditions and gentle humour, the film keeps Goopy and Bagha’s journey rooted in empathy. Released in 2019, the film uses music as an important narrative device to bring out the joy and happiness from the movie, cutting across divisions of power and fear.
This is one of many such projects helmed by Karadi Tales, a Chennai-based children’s publishing house founded in 1996. Every story, song, and book they create is rooted in Indian sensibilities, deliberately making space for Indian culture to thrive within the world of children’s publishing. With audiobooks narrated by Bollywood stalwarts like Naseeruddin Shah and Sanjay Dutt, and musicians such as Usha Uthup, Karadi Tales weaves each narrative with a distinctly homegrown thread, consistently championing Indian voices and perspectives.
Growing up as an Indian kid, is a very novel experience. Well, yes, it’s something only 1 billion other people can relate to, but everyone experiences this country in very different ways. India is experienced through language, food, festivals, geography, and stories, and children deserve access to books and music that reflect this layered reality. Karadi Tales was how I learned about the many states and languages of India. It was where I learned that diversity wasn’t something to memorise, but something to recognise and empathise with.
You can rent out 'Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya' on the Karadi Tales website here, and check out Karadi Tales' titles here.
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