Maharashtra assembly elections: Catchy songs, customized lyrics woo voters

PUNE: Riding the popularity of Bollywood movie Gully Boy, former member of Parliament from Kolhapur, Dhananjay Mahadik, had commissioned a special rap song to woo voters during the Lok Sabha elections in May.
Candidates contesting the state assembly election on October 21 have opted for tunes of popular Bollywood and Marathi films to grab the attention of voters in their constituencies.
Autorickshaws mounted with multiple speakers are plying across the city, campaigning for various candidates using a mix of music and speeches.
Candidates across party lines have opted for this traditional campaign to have the maximum reach before campaigning ends.
Mahesh Limaye, owner of Malhar Studio, said, “Candidates have opted for tunes of popular songs combined with special lyrics. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Khadakwasla, Bhimrao Tapkir got two songs recorded. One song has the background score of popular Marathi song ‘Mauli Mauli’ while the lyrics include details about all the work he has done for the constituency,” he said.
“Many Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates have added inputs from chief minister’s Mahajanadesh Yatra as well,” he added.
The demand has been lower than the previous elections.
“There hasn’t been much of a demand for audio recordings for this election. We have done recordings for nearly 20 candidates across the state but the number is small. We have had more demands for creation of video clips for WhatsApp, including campaign clips and general awareness ones,” Limaye added.
Voice-over artist Anvay Bendre said candidates are focusing on rallies and personal connect while using recorded material only to supplement the rallies.
After recording for 17 candidates across the state, Bendre said,
“Some people register information better when they hear. This is when the audio becomes integral. It includes crisp clips with songs and recorded speech. The content I have recorded this year for most candidates focuses on development.”
On the use of sound score of popular songs, Bendre said familiarity with the original song attracts people.
“People relate to tunes of songs. Familiar tunes attract people who also listen to the lyrics which ensured that the message reaches voters,” he said.