While cacophony of microphones has heightened pitch of campaigning in semi-urban centres like Araku, Paderu, and Chintapalle in Visakhapatnam district, the contesting candidates are trying to connect with the tribal voters by undertaking padayatras and organising folk shows in the remote and inaccessible areas.
Though there is no perceptible wave in favour of any party for May 7 general elections, tribal people living in remote areas are amused by frequent visit of candidates and their supporters with the promise of taking up their problems in the legislature. To draw their attention, mini- orchestra parties comprising folk singers to the accompaniment of tribal musical instruments such as ‘dappu, thuduma and mori’ are forming part of canvassing parties.
In some villages, the tribal people join the canvassing parties in organising ‘dhimsa’, a popular form of traditional dance among the hill tribes of Visakhapatnam. The tribes have the passion to perform the dance with perfect rhythm with quick steps to the beat of the drums and other musical instruments.
“It’s part of our culture to welcome guests with dance and songs but finally we will decide whom to vote by discussing the issue with our village elders,” says Gemmela Pedanna of Sagarvalasa in Dumbriguda mandal.
Keen contestOwing to keen contest, the candidates in fray are not leaving any opportunity to reach the electorate. At weekly shandies, they frequent right from the small hours till the sunset when the market closes.
Even at the annual old seed festival organised at remote Makivalasa village of Dumbriguda mandal where around 5,000 tribal people from neighbouring villages gathered on Sunday, almost all the parties deputed their teams for canvassing.
“The tribal people believe in lot of customs and traditions and they generally vote only after discussing among themselves. No amount of gimmicks can influence them,” says Korra Narayana, a first-time voter hailing from Killoguda village in Araku mandal.
