With an overwhelming majority of the electorate, in the district hailing from the rural areas, predominantly inhabited by tribal people, the main political parties have heavily banked on the traditional folk and tribal art forms to reach out to the masses.
The distinctive tribal art forms such as “Kommu Koya” dance and folk arts like “Palle Suddulu” still hold significant sway over the rural masses due to their electrifying appeal.
With the election process gaining pace, the folk artistes, those representing a wide array of traditional art forms including some dying cultural forms, have become most sought after for the political parties to spearhead their electioneering.
ADVERTISEMENT
Interestingly, the government departments such as the Information and Public Relations Department too have roped in the services of the folk artistes to spread awareness on voting right.
The major political parties are gearing up to launch massive publicity blitz involving the folk artistes in the next few days to win over the hearts of voters with the beginning of the nomination filing process for the general elections on Wednesday.
The Left parties have drawn up ambitious plans to press into service the artistes of their respective cultural wings to pep up their electioneering in the next few days.
ADVERTISEMENT
The CPI (M) affiliated Praja Natya Mandali has planned a one-day training programme for its artistes to fine-tune their skills here on April 5.
A slew of cultural events including Kolatam, Dappu, and Street plays will be organised in the next couple of days to drum up support for the CPI (M) candidates in electoral fray, said K Devendra, State president, Praja Natya Mandali.
The Praja Natya Mandali cultural troupes will highlight the spirited mass movements spearheaded by the CPI (M) to safeguard the interests of farmers, agriculture labourers and other toiling masses besides underprivileged sections, he added.