India: Coronavirus bhajan song 'Kithon Aaya Corona' taking over the internet

Earlier this month, a video of a group of women singing “run away corona” in India during Holi celebrations went viral online. Now, a similar video of a group of men singing a ‘bhajan’ (devotional song) is being shared on the internet.

The clip was shared by Indian comedian Mallika Dua on Instagram, it has now gone viral.

In the video, bhajan singer Narendra Chanchal talks about swine flu, dengue, chikungunya and finally breaks into the Punjabi line “Kithon Aaya Corona” (From where did you come corona). The crowd sings along Chanchal’s lines.

Since being shared on Saturday, the video has garnered over 192,000 views and over 700 comments. Most Instagram users are finding the clip hilarious with many posting sarcastic comments.

User @awaarabhawra wrote: “And that's how Corona vanished from India.”

Similarly, another Instagram user, @iamkratiiii._.22, posted: “World health organization needs to hire us.”

Some, like user @attagirlchika were concerned that a gathering like this took place as coronavirus is spreading and experts advised people to practice social distancing: “Cheer and all is fine but having a huge gathering is really so insanely wrong right now.”

On YouTube, a longer version of the song is available which includes lyrics about washing one’s hands and using sanitisers.