Nandagovindam Bhajans says it believes in uniting people through music after controversy over Christian devotional song

Nandagovindam Bhajans, a popular devotional bhajan band, found itself in the centre of a controversy this week after certain Sangh Parivar organisations objected to their rendition of a Christian devotional song at an event organised by the Vembinkulangara Sree Mahavishnu temple in Kottayam recently.

A video of the group singing Ee Paradevanaho, a Christian devotional song, at the event went viral, eliciting a wide range of reactions. While many hailed it as the latest example of Kerala’s syncretic culture, quite a few opposed the idea of singing a Christian devotional song at a temple event. Hindu Aikya Vedi leader K.P. Sasikala was among those who criticised the group, warning it not to “cut the branch on which you are sitting.” “Chicken Masala is good, but don’t add it to Payasam,” she said.