‘Don’t put chicken masala in payasam’: KP Sasikala slams bhajan group for singing Christian hymn

Kottayam (Kerala): Hindu Aikya Vedi leader K P Sasikala has sparked controversy by criticising the popular ‘Nandagovindam Bhajans’ group for performing a Christian devotional song during a temple event. Using a sharp analogy, she remarked, “Chicken masala is good, but don't put it in payasam (a sweet dessert). Consider this a housewife’s advice.”

The backlash follows a performance at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple in Vembin kulangara, Kottayam. During the temple festival, the group sang the famous Christian hymn "Ee Paradevanaho," originally composed by Mohan Sithara and made famous by K J Yesudas.

A gesture of communal harmony

Before performing the song, the group highlighted the long-standing bond between the temple and a nearby church. They noted that during the temple's Deshavilakku festival, it is traditional to light lamps at the church as well. Furthermore, the church had provided its grounds for vehicle parking during the festival.

While the temple audience greeted the performance with thunderous applause and social media users initially flooded the group with praise, right-wing leaders were quick to condemn the act.

Mounting criticism

The criticism began with Vidyasagar Gurumoorthy, chairman of the Hridayavidya Foundation, who mockingly referred to the group as "Nanda-Kunthirikkam Bhajans" (linking them to frankincense, often used in churches). He argued that temple stages should not be used for Christian hymns, stating it was wrong to sing "Hallelujah" after gaining fame at the expense of Hindus.

K P Sasikala joined the fray shortly after, questioning the group's motives. "Has no one praised them until now? No matter how strong the branch you sit on is, if you cut it yourself, it will break," she said, before adding her "Chicken Masala" analogy to describe the mixing of religious traditions.

The rise of Nandagovindam Bhajans

The group started in the year 2000 as a small local troupe called ‘Sreedurga Bhajana Samiti’ at the Vembin kulangara Temple in Kottayam. They rebranded as Nandagovindam Bhajans in 2004.

Their popularity skyrocketed recently after clips of their stage performances went viral on social media. Today, they are a sought-after group, performing across Kerala, other Indian states, and even internationally. Despite the current political friction, they remain one of the most recognised names in contemporary bhajan performances.