Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Group, and singer Nitin Mukesh launched Bhaj Govindam during Aditya Utsav 2025, held at Kala Mandir, Kolkata. The event, organized under the auspices of Sangeet Kala Mandir, was a tribute to their founder, the Late Basant Kumar Birla.
The devotional works of Adi Shankaracharya were presented by Padmashri Anuradha Paudwal, her daughter Kavita Paudwal, and their team. The soulful renditions captivated the audience, celebrating the spiritual legacy of Bhaj Govindam.
Expressing his pride in the project, Kumar Mangalam Birla said, “The softly rendered lyrical presentation of Anuradha Paudwal enables everyone to understand this prayer. Beyond a musical presentation, this is a movement we are proud to support as one of our greatest treasures.”
Aditya Birla Group has been instrumental in promoting ancient Indian spirituality to global audiences. In line with this vision, the Bhaj Govindam caller tune will soon be available worldwide.
The Story Behind Bhaj Govindam
Bhaj Govindam is a devotional lyric composed by Adi Shankaracharya. According to tradition, Shankaracharya encountered an elderly man studying Sanskrit grammar during his travels in Kashi, on the banks of the holy River Ganga. The man admitted that he had spent his life without praising Bhagwan, as he had struggled to grasp Sanskrit grammar.
Moved by this, Adi Shankaracharya encouraged the man to turn his mind toward Bhagwan, handing him the composition now known as Bhaj Govindam.
This timeless prayer expresses human shortcomings in seeking God while acknowledging His supreme understanding. Written in simple language, the lyric allows anyone to recite it and find peace of mind. Its central theme emphasizes that, as human beings, we may struggle with the proper manner of prayer, but only the divine can interpret the sincerity behind our words.