Chennai corpn pushes for need to vote through cultural, adventure shows on beaches

Chennai: Marina and Besant Nagar beaches witnessed massive crowds on Sunday evening, as thousands packed the shoreline - not for leisure, but for a high-decibel cultural push to vote. Drums, dance, paragliding and dazzling lights fused into a single message: show up to cast your ballot.With the city's turnout among the lowest in the state, hovering between 50% and 60%, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) rolled out a large-scale awareness drive. Folk troupes from Madurai, Trichy, Dharmapuri and Sivagangai set the tone with thappattam, followed by chenda melam and city-based gaana and pop performances, interspersed with messages to vote. Families, youth and first-time voters thronged the shore, with the adults hoisting children on their shoulders to catch a glimpse of the stage. Interactive segments from karaoke to kombu parai kept the crowd engaged, as hosts led chants of "My vote, my right." But the turnout came at a cost. "It took two hours to get in and out as Kamarajar Salai was choked. Parking should have been planned," said K Bharat, a visitor.At Besant Nagar, a paragliding display carried the voting message into the night sky, drawing large crowds and selfie-seekers. Events were held across key beachfront stretches, including Anna Square and near Vivekananda House.Chennai recorded just 59% turnout in the 2021 assembly polls, with Velachery logging a low 56% and RK Nagar peaking at 71%. Officials said similar drives across all 16 constituencies aim to push participation past 90%.