schemes such as “Digital India”, “Skill India”, “LPG subsidy”, and “Startup India” as having been “done, done” or already fulfilled by Narendra Modi. In the INC’s rock-inspired election theme “Ab Hoga Nyay”, “NYAY” stands for the party’s flagship scheme guaranteeing minimum income, and is also the opposite of “anyay” which signifies the present state of affairs. Both parties recorded songs in multiple Indian languages. Regional campaigns provide interesting examples of less mass-oriented, more localised music. In Mumbai, a new party Durbal Ghatak Aghadi released A good song can a powada — a high-octane halve the effort ballad in which the shahir involved in (singer) switches between song acquainting the and spoken word — to public with leaders announce its participation and and manifestos. It is principles; in rallies, this was a tuneful, often paired with live dafli superficial, performances. Given the party’s substitute for deeper modest means, a local team evidence or mixed the song at no charge. As thoughtful discussion the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi related to policy (VBA) led by Prakash Ambedkar entered the fray, with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) for its ally, they showcased live performances of a coalescent form that has always been popular in Dalit-Ambedkarite gatherings: the Marathi qawwali. Here too the performer alternates between singing and talk, accompanied usually by harmonium sounds. Altaf Raja is among the well-known exponents of this style. Especially in the southern states, songs are a preferred vehicle for touting personalities and plans. The pan-India song of the Congress for the Lok Sabha election recorded in Hindi has 0.18 million views, for example, compared with its Malayalam song “Jananayaka” made specifically for Rahul Gandhi’s bid in Wayanad, which has 0.12 million views. The latter song’s composer Jakes Bejoy, mainly a music director for films, says he decided on an orchestral arrangement that can easily stir listeners. By contrast, campaign themes for K Surendran of BJP mimic the songs sung in devotion to Ayyappan. This state has a strong tradition of folk-style Communist songs of the struggle, which were sung by thousands of labourers and peasants participating in the movement. The theme song for the 2019 Communist candidate P Rajeev “Dil mein Rajeev, Dilli mein Rajeev”, styled as a march, was created by Electoral rhapsody movie composer Bijibal, who had made the soundtrack for Arabikkatha, Lal Jose’s 2007 Malayalam film based on a split in the state’s Communist Party. Star musicians and elaborate videos are helping political parties introduce their leaders In Tamil Nadu, whereas the DMK traditionally benefited from having a strong and manifestos to the public in memorable ways. Ranjita Ganesan looks at how the orator in M Karunanidhi at the helm, AIADMK relied on lines and songs from MGR’s hit films music of election campaigns has evolved after a bullet injury affected the leader’s voice. Ilaiyaraaja was known to have performed hen composer Shakthi Kanth Karthick imperfect measure of on-ground impact but one It is not a new phenomenon either. Parties Communist Party ballads in both Tamil Nadu walked in to meet with the Indian thing is certain, people have been listening. “I at the top have traditionally sought the help of and Kerala as a teen while touring with his elder WPolitical Action Committee (IPAC) approached it the same way I would a film virtuosos from filmdom. Historian S C Sarkar, brother Varadharajan’s troupe. It is not which had roped him in to create an election assignment,” says Karthick. A solid strategy writing in 1962 about the third general uncommon for listeners in southern states to anthem for Jagan Mohan Reddy, political perhaps given Telugu cinema’s immense elections after independence, noted that the Shakthi Kanth Karthick’s (left) composition for appreciate political songs in other languages, strategist Prashant Kishor had already decided appeal. Even one- and two-year-olds, who Indian National Congress (INC) had ordered YSR Congress Party is the most popular song regardless of whether they are eligible to vote for on the hook: “Ravali Jagan, Kavali Jagan”. The cannot yet vote, have been filmed by their 6,000 gramophone records to be played in this poll season, while Jakes Bejoy (right) is the the concerned candidate. “The language barrier catchphrase, which translates to “Jagan is com- parents singing covers. “That is the first sign different constituencies. “The latest man behind the song for Rahul Gandhi’s is not as strong here,” says composer Karthick. ing, we need Jagan”, was chosen because it something is viral.” propaganda media are recorded songs of film Wayanad bid Some are wary of potential misuse of would be crystal clear even on small phones. Virality is one of thing political parties hope playbacks.” In 1971, music director Prem songs. In 1996, after a Konkani song criticising Karthick, known for the success of soundtracks for when they rope in star musicians and release Dhawan had come up with the lyric: “There is parties into popular film and pop songs. Audio the Congress party and endorsing the for Telugu films Happy Wedding (2018) and elaborate videos. Names including lyricist Javed not enough oil to nourish the Jana Sangh deep cassettes had been the medium of distribution opposition candidate was aired on radio in Fidaa (2017), built a rousing song around it with Akhtar, admen Prasoon Joshi and Piyush (lamp).” The music composer duo Kalyanji- then. Another case in point is Samajwadi Goa, the radio station was asked for an lyrics that capture the essence of poll promises Pandey, singers Shankar Mahadevan and Anandji had said in 1989 they would use the Party’s reimagining of Bruce Springsteen’s “We explanation on fears that the model code of and stoke nostalgia for Reddy’s late father. Avadhoot Gupte have been associated with hook “Oye Oye Owah”, drawn from the hit song didn’t start the fire, it was always burning” as conduct not be breached. Aamir Khan had Sweeping slow-motion visuals shot by drone of campaign songs in the past few elections. featured in Tridev, in campaign songs for the “Mann se hai Mulayam, par irade loha hai”. previously declined a request from the the crowds at the YSR Congress Party leader’s 341- Sometimes, if they are close to a party, artists Congress. Sapna Awasthi’s “Main aai hoon UP-Bihar National Democratic Alliance for permission day walkathon across the state of Andhra work for free. Producing the music alone can Lyricist Sameer, whose father Anjan’s lootne” was another favourite for parodies in to use the song “Mehngai Dayan” from Peepli Pradesh were added too. cost anywhere up to the industry basic, that is “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” from Don was elections there. Live (2010) for campaigning in UP and Bihar. So far, the track has been viewed an ~10 lakh. Videos hike that figure. Some parties used when Amitabh Bachchan contested for A good song can halve the effort involved in Recently, Babul Supriyo recorded a campaign impressive 22 million times on YouTube, pick a single song, while some publish entire Congress in Allahabad in 1984, created a acquainting the public with leaders and song without permission, “Ei Trinamool Ar comfortably making it the most popular poll albums. Road shows are shows, after all, and parody of “Chor Bazari” from Love Aaj Kal for manifestos. It is a tuneful, often superficial, Na” or “Trinamool no more”, which was song this election. It took seven months to make music creates spectacle. Songs have either been Congress’s Ashok Chavan. During the 1998 substitute for deeper evidence or thoughtful reportedly being played despite being banned and was mixed in at least six formats — among pre-recorded or performed live. Other than elections, the first to be heavily televised, the discussion related to policy. The BJP in one of by the Election Commission. “Speaking ill of them, to be played with loudspeakers at public original compositions, permission is sometimes Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was said to have its campaign songs, which has 12 million views, an opponent is juvenile,” observes Bejoy, meetings, in bike rallies, and used for ringtones sought to use existing songs, or parodies are hired a team of lyricists which remixed attempted to convert rap into political capital, adding perhaps too hopefully, “It has to be a and bulk voice calls. YouTube views may be an recorded of hit songs. political messages critical of the opposition urging first time voters by breathlessly listing healthy battle.” Shashi Tharoor@ Supriya Bhardwaj Omar Abdullah Ram Subramanian Vikram Chandra Yogendra Yadav Barkha dutt howkidar shazia ilmi Sam Pitroda Anshul Saxena Audrey Truschke.