Political Parties Use Rap Music to Engage Young Voters in Maharashtra | Pune News – Times of India

PUNE: In the current dynamic political landscape in Maharashtra, rap music has emerged as a potent tool for parties to connect with the youth. Its energetic rhythm and relatable lyrics allow complex political agendas to be distilled into easily understandable content with a political agenda.
Both Shiv Sena parties have made rap songs their theme to publicise their work. Additionally, many candidates individually employed music labels to compose political rap songs. Lyricists said that rap jingles serve as powerful amplifiers, enabling parties to not only champion their platforms but also critique rivals. From autorickshaw loudspeakers to open-ground rallies, contestants are playing the jingles to woo voters.
A Marathi rap song, which largely criticises the MVA alliance, is making the rounds on social media. It is called “Maharashtra chi junta ata jagi jhali hay” (Maharashtra’s voters have awakened). The anonymous rap song received several hits on social media and is among top popular songs, especially among the youth.
Political consultant Anand Shinde said, “Rap jingles serve as powerful amplifiers, enabling parties to not only champion their own platforms but also to critique rivals, set the political discourse, and forge a deeper connection with the masses. This connection hinges on authenticity; successful political rap must resonate with the genuine concerns and aspirations of voters.” Shinde’s team worked on a unique musical project to support NCP-SP candidate Bapu Pathare’s campaign. It blends rap with local language elements to create something truly special.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) provided a prime example of rap’s effective deployment. Their “Lage Raho Kejriwal” anthem, with its focus on anti-corruption and good governance, resonated strongly with young voters in Delhi, solidifying Arvind Kejriwal’s image as a leader dedicated to the people.
Taking a cue, city-based lyricist Sakshi Rathore penned a series of rap songs posing tough questions to Mahayuti govt. Rathore said, “Before the elections were announced, I started writing about it, and it is a mix of successes and failures of the govt from a citizen’s point of view.” The rap penned in Marathi is called “Kasa kay Maharashtra.”
Similarly, the BJP harnessed the potential of raps during the 2019 elections, utilizing it to reach urban youth. Jingles celebrating initiatives like Digital India and Skill India aimed to capture the imagination of young entrepreneurs and tech-savvy voters.
In Satara, an independent candidate, Krishnakumar Patil, also used this medium during his door-to-door campaigns. The rap song, inspired by the Bollywood movie ‘Gully Boy,’ is titled “Apna Time Ayega.” Patil said, “I caught the attention of the youth in our constituency. We are playing the jingles during our padyatras and also rallies.”