South Korean singer and composer Park Min-jun, known by his stage name Aoora, surprised his fans from Kerala, a state in South India, with his rendition of the popular Malayalam folk song “Kuttanadan Punjayile.” He performed the song while wearing an aquamarine shirt and a blue and white mundu.
Aoora was a member of the K-Pop boy band Double-A and its subunit Aoora&Hoik, eventually leaving the group in 2016. He recently gained popularity after appearing on the Indian reality television show Big Boss, which is based on the Dutch reality show Big Brother. With a growing base of Indian fans, he frequently uses his Instagram account to showcase his interest in Indian music and dance.
Aoora went viral for delighting fans with renditions of songs like “Woh Kisna Hai” at a Mathura concert and covering Indian classics like “Yeh Shaam Mastani.” “Kuttanadan Punjayile” is a song sung by cheerleaders during traditional boat races in Kerala. His music video for his song “Thi Thi Thara (Kuttanadan Dreams),” also posted on his Instagram, features performing arts from Kerala, such as Kathakali, a classical dance-theatre form, and Kalaripayattu, a traditional martial art form.
Beyond his musical performances, Aoora is often seen visiting Indian temples and actively participating in festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi. His profound appreciation for Indian culture and his commitment to creating Indo-Korean music are truly noteworthy.
