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South Indian Political Mass Songs

10 months ago
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Political Mass Songs

Political campaigning is not limited to speeches given by leaders; powerful songs also play a crucial role. In fact, a single impactful song can convey the same message as ten pages of speech. Songs have become a potent weapon for political parties to effectively communicate their ideologies and activities to the people. A song possesses the ability to spread rapidly and remain on people’s minds for a longer period of time compared to mere words alone. As a result, almost all political parties give high priority to songs in their campaigns, making it difficult to imagine a campaign without one, especially during elections. Alongside highlighting their achievements, parties often use songs to criticize the failures of their opponents. This trend of mass political songs is particularly prominent in the Southern region. Whether it is a budding party or one with a long-established history, each party and leader enters the campaign season armed with their own audio cassette. It’s the story of South Indian political parties using mass songs in their election campaigns, which storms social media. Fans of Political leaders are awaiting new songs for upcoming elections. Lets take a look at some of the massiest songs from south Indian Political campaigns so far;

Andhra Pradesh

During the 2019 assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, songs played a crucial role in the election campaign of the YSRCP, led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Particularly, songs like ‘Ravali Jagan, Kavali Jagan‘ that hot 33 Million views on Youtube, ‘Jagananna Jagananna Janamanta Neethena‘, with around 3 milllion views and ‘Rayalaseema muddu bidda mana Jagananna‘ with 5.4 million views, sung by singer Mangli, significantly boosted public support. These songs contributed to YSRCP party achieving a historic and resounding majority in the 2019 election results. Even today, these songs continue to resonate on social media and are played in programs unrelated to politics.

Not just the songs, even remixed versions of the songs, meme edits also hit million views easily on platforms like Instagram and Youtube. In the same endevour TDP also released songs before 2019 elections, which fell flat in front of YSRCP songs. Not even one song from TDP stuck with public in 2019 elections, however the views for the songs like “Nayakuda Nayakuda Malli Nuvve Ravali” hit 5 Million on Youtube.. with Nara Lokesh’s Yuvagalam padayatra, TDP had hopes to release and sustain mass songs. Songs like “Psycho Povali Cycle Ravali” song was promoted extensively through the padayatra and digital platforms. The song still couldn’t garner enough support. The song roughly stands on the premise of Political name calling and translates to “Psycho must go and Cycle must come”.

The YSRCP took the lead not only in promoting pro-party songs but also in sharing anti-opposition songs. Recently, they released a new song targeting TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, titled ‘Apu Babu Natakam.. Matalanni Butakam‘. Though this song is not an official campaign song, but it is currently going viral on social media. The lyrics of this song say that Chandrababu Naidu deceived the people while saying that all the people in Andhra Pradesh are behind Jagan and he is going to win again in 2024. Jagan’s supporters are sharing this song with a western rap beat that attracts the youth of today on social media. This song sets the benchmark really high for the campaign song of YSRCP and similarly TDP has to do better this time.

Telangana

During the 2018 assembly elections in Telangana, the song ‘Telangana Gadda Meeda Gulabi Jenda‘ gained immense popularity. Sung by singer Saichand, this song was played in every constituency and at every campaign event of the BRS party. Another song, ‘Telangana Nela Meeda Veddam Ottu, Karu Gurtuke Veddam Votu‘ sung by actor and popular television comedian Bitthiri Satthi, also became a hit and received nearly 10 million views on YouTube cumulatively. This song effectively promoted the welfare and development schemes implemented by the KCR Sarkar, while also urging for the defeat of Mahakootami. Released on KCR’s birthday in the same year, singer Mangli’s song ‘Arachetini Adduga Petti Suryudine Apesavu, Nadirathiri Suridu Neevai Udayinchau..’ also resonated with the masses. These songs continue to be played on mobile phones and shared on social media groups of the BRS party and KCR fans.

As Congress has made significant buzz on ground for 2023 Telangana Elections, we are their campaign song is also awaited along with BRS songs. The BRS will probably work on their campaign song keeping the General Elections in focus, as BRS is trying portray it’s presence in the country as a national party. TRS has already released a teaser of the upcoming campaign song which already looks like a mass song.

Tamilnadu

Two years ago, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party effectively utilized a song in its election campaign for the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Despite entering the election arena without their influential leader, Karunanidhi, the party used song as a powerful tool to garner support for Stalin’s candidacy as Chief Minister. The DMK’s official political campaign song, ‘Stalindhaan Vararu Vidiyal Thara Poraru‘, resonated with the masses. This song served as a rallying call to stand with Stalin, who was portrayed as a champion of Tamil self-respect, fighter for Tamil rights, and a leader who want to implement social justice in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu assembly elections were held on April 21, 2021, and this song was released a month prior on March 1, coinciding with Stalin’s birthday. The video song, featuring visuals showcasing Tamil culture and traditions, garnered an impressive 6 million views on YouTube. In that election, the DMK secured victory, winning 159 seats and gaining control of the government.

Karnataka

The Congress party emerged victorious in the Karnataka assembly elections that took place in May this year. As part of their election campaign, the party effectively utilized songs to connect with the people. One such song, ‘Congress Baralide, Pragathi Dhawande‘, gained considerable popularity, surpassing 120,000 views on social media. Numerous songs were created and utilized during campaign events to highlight BJP’s alleged corruption and to assure the public of a welfare-oriented government under Congress. Additionally, several songs on the current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also gained significant traction on social media, with ‘Janaramayya‘ being particularly impactful among the masses.

Kerala

In the recent Kerala assembly elections of 2021, the CPM effectively utilized a popular song in their campaign strategy. The song, titled ‘Kanaleriyum Samara Padangal’, quickly gained traction on social media platforms and became viral. This video song beautifully showcases the rich culture and traditions of Kerala, while also highlighting the immense support garnered by the CPM. Moreover, the songs, ‘Janamanassin‘, ‘Saghavu‘ and ‘Uruppan Keralam‘, specifically dedicated to Pinarayi Vijayan, resonated deeply with the masses. These songs have achieved millions of views on YouTube. In that election, the CPM-led LDF coalition secured a staggering 97 seats in the election and consequently emerged victorious for the second time.

Political campaigns in Digital era

Once upon a time, political campaigning relied on wall posters, wall writings, rental jeeps, and autos equipped with mic-sets. However, in the digital age, campaigning has taken on a new form. Political parties now make extensive use of social media platforms to gain attention. Over the past decade, smartphone usage and internet accessibility have reached every corner of the country. There are approximately 375 million smartphone users and 755.47 million social media users in the country, and the majority of these users are young individuals. Political parties have recognized this and utilize platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to communicate their political ideology and activities to this new generation. During the 2014 elections, social media campaigns played a significant role in Narendra Modi’s election as the Prime Minister of the country. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is notable for quickly adopting and effectively utilizing digital campaigns. Today, political parties from all across the country extensively use social media for their campaigns. They collaborate with various organizations, paying substantial amounts to create content in favor of them and  against their rivals on social media.

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